Upconversion Nanoparticles and Photosensitizers for Photodynamic Therapy and Optical Sensing
This community develops luminescent nanomaterials and photosensitizers to enable photodynamic therapy for cancer and antimicrobial treatment, as well as optical thermometry and bioimaging.
The research centers on the synthesis and application of upconversion nanoparticles, frequently doped with yttrium and erbium ions, to convert near-infrared light into visible emission. These materials are paired with photosensitizers such as zinc phthalocyanine and indocyanine green to generate singlet oxygen for killing cancer cells and bacteria. A significant portion of the work focuses on optimizing energy transfer mechanisms to enhance luminescence for fluorescence imaging and drug delivery. Additionally, the community investigates the use of these luminescent systems for non-contact temperature sensing and optical thermometry in biological and material contexts.
The largest share of the community's output is found in oxygen research, accounting for 0.4% of all oxygen research, and 2,222 papers here.
The community comprises 21,832 papers, publishing most frequently in Photodiagnosis and Photodynamic Therapy, Journal of Luminescence, and Nanoscale.
Recent work includes the development of tunable lanthanide electroluminescence, infrared silicon photodetectors using upconversion nanoparticles, and advanced nanothermometry designs.