Near-infrared to visible upconversion emission induced photopolymerization: Polystyrene shell coated NaYF4 nanoparticles for fluorescence bioimaging and nanothermometry

Abstract

In this study, upconversion (UC) photopolymerization of non-polar polystyrene (PSt) shells on rare-earth doped ceramic nanophosphors (RED-CNPs) was investigated to improve the optical properties. The PSt layer was prepared on rare-earth doped NaYF4 NP surfaces by UC photopolymerization under 980 nm near-infrared (NIR) irradiation. The obtained PSt-modified NaYF4 NPs are promising candidates for fluorescence imaging and as nanothermometry agents.