Enhancing Persistent Luminescence through Synergy between Optimal Electron Traps and Dye Sensitization
By
Wei, ZJ (Wei, Zi-Jin) [1] ; Yin, C (Yin, Chang) [1] ; Sun, MJ (Sun, Mengjie) [1] ; Long, K (Long, Kai) [1] ; Zhang, ZY (Zhang, Zhouyu) [1] ; Yan, ZC (Yan, Zichao) [1] ; Wang, W (Wang, Wei) [1] ; Yuan, Z (Yuan, Zhi) [1]
Published
APR 24 2024
Indexed
2024-05-26
Document Type
Article
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Abstract
Due to their unique afterglow ability, long-wavelength-light rechargeable persistent luminescence (PersL) nanoparticles (PLNPs) have been emerging as an important category of imaging probes. Among them, ZnGa2O4:0.6% Cr3+ (ZGC) PLNPs have gained widespread recognition due to the ease of synthesis and uniform morphology. Unfortunately, the limited absorption arising from the low molar extinction coefficient of Cr3+ results in relatively low afterglow intensity and rapid decay after long-wavelength LED light irradiation. Herein, we discovered a strategy that boosting dye-sensitization performance was able to effectively amplify the PersL signal under white LED light. Specifically, Dil served as a highly efficient sensitizer for Cr3+, promoting the absorption of the excitation light. By adjusting the Pr dopant concentrations, ZGCP(0.5) PLNPs with optimal trap densities were obtained, which showed the highest PersL intensity and dye-sensitized performance. Strikingly, ZGCP(0.5)-Dil PLNPs exhibited a 24.3-fold enhancement in intensity and a 2-fold prolongation of decay time over bare ZGC PLNPs through the synergy effect of optimal electron traps and dye sensitization. Photostable ZGCP(0.5)-Dil PLNPs enabled imaging of the HepG2 tumor and effectively guided tumor surgical resection verified by the H&E staining analysis. This strategy could be a significant reference in other dye-sensitization PLNPs to enhance longer-wavelength rechargeable PersL.