Colloidal Er³⁺-doped LiYF₄ nanoparticles for NIR bioimaging

Synthesized nanoparticles with strong luminescence in the second near-infrared window show great potential for applications in biomedical imaging and diagnosis. Nanoscale dimensions and tunable optical properties can enable nanoparticles to operate as fluorescent probes in the imaging of tumors and lymphatic tissues. Lanthanide-doped rare-earth fluoride nanoparticles with photoluminescence tuned to the second near-infrared window can circumvent many of the issues currently limiting the clinical utility of fluorescence imaging technology and show promise as tools for the early detection of cancer. We report on the synthesis and characterization of colloidal LiYF₄ nanoparticles doped with erbium. The nanoparticles were synthesized through a coprecipitation method using rare-earth chlorides, LiOH·H₂O, and NH₄F as precursors. 1-octadecene was used as a high-temperature solvent, and oleic acid was used as an organic capping agent. The reaction took place under the protection of nitrogen atmosphere. The size, morphology, and colloidal stability of the nanoparticles were determined using data obtained from transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential techniques. Optical characterization data were collected using NIR absorption spectroscopy and fluorescence spectroscopy. The Er³⁺-doped LiYF₄ nanoparticles show NIR-II emission peaks at 1001 nm, 1490 nm, 1531 nm, and 1558 nm upon NIR-II excitation at 972 nm. The excellent luminescence in the NIR-II range makes them a strong candidate for bioimaging applications.