Tunable power-dependent upconversion emission of Er\(^{3+}\)--Tm\(^{3+}\) co-doped nanoparticles for bioimaging

Tran Thu Huong; Ha Thi Phuong; Le Thi Vinh; Hoang Thi Khuyen; Pham Thi Lien; Do Thi Phuong; Nguyen Thi Nga; Do Thi Thao

doi:10.15625/0868-3166/23523

Author affiliations

Authors

Tran Thu Huong Institute of Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3556-6293
Ha Thi Phuong Department of Chemistry, Hanoi Medical University, 1 Ton That Tung, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Le Thi Vinh Faculty of Basic Science, Hanoi University of Mining and Geology, 18 Pho Vien, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Hoang Thi Khuyen Institute of Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Pham Thi Lien Institute of Materials Science, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1473-3008
Do Thi Phuong Institute of Biology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
Nguyen Thi Nga Institute of Biology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3674-9190
Do Thi Thao Institute of Biology, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, 18 Hoang Quoc Viet, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15625/0868-3166/23523

Abstract

Lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) have emerged as promising platforms for bioimaging and theranostics owing to their unique ability to convert near-infrared (NIR) excitation into visible emission. Controlling their emission behavior is critical for both mechanistic understanding and biomedical translation. In this work, we synthesized NaYF₄: Yb³⁺, Er³⁺, Tm³⁺ UCNPs via a hydrothermal route and systematically investigated their power-dependent luminescence. Log–log slope analysis clarified photon participation in different emission bands, revealed competition between Yb³⁺→Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺→Tm³⁺ pathways, and identified saturation effects at higher excitation power. Based on these insights, the nanoparticles were functionalized with silica–TPGS to improve colloidal stability, dispersibility, and biocompatibility. Preliminary biological evaluation with MCF-7 breast cancer cells demonstrated efficient uptake, bright intracellular luminescence, and dose-dependent cytotoxicity (GI₅₀ = 0.26 ± 0.02 ppm). These findings highlight excitation-power control as a powerful strategy for tailoring UCNP emission properties, laying the foundation for advanced applications in ratiometric sensing, multicolor imaging, and cancer theranostics.

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