Controlled optical characteristics of lanthanide doped upconversion nanoparticles for emerging applications

Lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) can convert long wavelength excitation radiation in the near-infrared region to higher energy emission radiation from ultraviolet to near-infrared. The anti-Stokes luminescence process will result in high tissue penetration depth, low background noise and low photo-damage in bioimaging applications. Considering these excellent optical performances, UCNPs have been considered as the next generation of fluorescent probes for sensing and bioimaging based on near-infrared light stimulation. In this mini review, we highlight the recent advances of UCNPs in the field of emerging applications, such as dye sensitized UCNPs, photogene regulation, anti-counterfeiting, and super-resolution imaging, which depend on the optical modulation. Finally, we discuss the challenges and opportunities in the development of these new applications. We highlight the recent advances of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) in the field of emerging applications, such as dye sensitized UCNPs, photogene regulation, anti-counterfeiting, and super-resolution imaging. Finally, we discuss the challenges and opportunities in the development of these new applications.