Catch and relay: brighter near-infrared photoluminescence in lanthanide-based nanoparticles.

Abstract

A design strategy for NIR-emitting lanthanide nanoparticles resolves the fundamental tension between core-shell passivation and dye sensitization. By engineering a Yb³⁺-doped interlayer as an active energy relay between surface-bound ICG and an heavily Er³⁺-doped core, a ~ 2000-fold brightness enhancement is achieved, enabling high-contrast in vivo vascular imaging.