Ultra-broadband near-infrared excitable upconversion core/shell nanocrystals

Monodisperse Er(3+):NaGdF(4)@Ho(3+):NaGdF(4)@NaGdF(4) active-core/active-shell/inert-shell nanocrystals, which can extend the near-infrared wavelength excitable range for upconversion (UC) emissions, were successfully fabricated for the first time. Importantly, doping of Er(3+) and Ho(3+) into the core and shell respectively suppresses adverse energy transfers between them, resulting in intense UC emissions for both Er(3+) and Ho(3+) dopants.