Luminescent Nanoparticles
Nanoparticles (NPs) show special luminescence properties, differently from those of bulk materials. For instance, changing the band gap energy allows the precise variation of the emission and absorption maxima, adapting them for specific applications. In addition, nanoparticles can be applied in several different areas, e.g. in the production of thin films or for the development of novel non-toxic sensors in medicine.
Luminescent thin films are remarkably important for sensor systems, electronic displays and labeling products. The protection of the NPs offered by embedding them in polymer films result in the increase of the stability and efficiency of the luminescence properties.
SrAl2O4:Eu NPs precursor under day (left) and UV light (mixture between Eu3+ and Eu2+, middle). Nanoparticles after annealing, demonstrating the compete reduction to Eu2+ (right).