Frontiers in Chemistry (Feb 2023)

Recent advances in lanthanide-doped up-conversion probes for theranostics

  • Danyang Xu,
  • Chenxu Li,
  • Wenjing Li,
  • Bi Lin,
  • Ruichan Lv

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2023.1036715
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11

Abstract

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Up-conversion (or anti-Stokes) luminescence refers to the phenomenon whereby materials emit high energy, short-wavelength light upon excitation at longer wavelengths. Lanthanide-doped up-conversion nanoparticles (Ln-UCNPs) are widely used in biomedicine due to their excellent physical and chemical properties such as high penetration depth, low damage threshold and light conversion ability. Here, the latest developments in the synthesis and application of Ln-UCNPs are reviewed. First, methods used to synthesize Ln-UCNPs are introduced, and four strategies for enhancing up-conversion luminescence are analyzed, followed by an overview of the applications in phototherapy, bioimaging and biosensing. Finally, the challenges and future prospects of Ln-UCNPs are summarized.

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