Rare earth nanocrystals with enhanced NIR-II luminescence
摘要
In recent years, fluorescent materials centered on the second near-infrared (NIR-II) window have emerged as a new research area of interest for prospective biomedical applications. Among the latest generation of NIR-II probes, rare earth nanocrystals (RE NCs) have distinguished themselves by their remarkable optical properties, such as high stability, large Stokes/anti-Stokes shift, a broad excitation spectral bandwidth, and a prolonged fluorescence lifetime. Particularly, via ingenious design and meticulous manipulation of the structure and composition, the energy transfer and photon transition during the luminescence process can be precisely regulated, thereby achieving substantial optimization of optical performance. In this review, we will briefly outline the NIR-II emission mechanism of RE NCs and focus on the luminescence enhancement strategies of the latest advancements, with the intention of furnishing valuable references for research in related fields.