Fluorescence lifetime modification in Eu:Lu2O3 nanoparticles in the presence of silver nanoparticles

TL;DR

This study investigates how surface modifications and the presence of silver nanoparticles affect the fluorescence lifetime of europium-doped lutetium oxide nanoparticles, revealing a significant reduction in lifetime due to silver.

Contribution

It introduces a comparative synthesis and surface modification approach for Eu:Lu2O3 nanoparticles and demonstrates the impact of silver nanoparticles on their fluorescence lifetime.

Findings

Surface modifications influence emission properties.

Silver nanoparticles reduce fluorescence lifetime by 12-14%.

Surface ligands affect luminescent behavior.

Abstract

Europium-doped lutetium-oxide (Eu:Lu2O3) nanoparticles were synthesized using a combustion technique and a co-precipitation technique, and their properties were compared. Surface-modification utilizing small silane molecules and long chain polymers were explored to de-agglomerate and disperse the particles. Structural, morphological and optical properties were characterized with x-ray diffraction, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and laser spectroscopy respectively to evaluate these materials. The luminescent behaviors were compared between the pristine and modified Eu:Lu2O3 nanoparticles to study the influence of surface ligands on emission properties. Subsequently, the Eu:Lu2O3 nanoparticles were placed on top of a thin film consisting of silver nanoparticles and combined with silver nanoparticles and dispersed in a polymer matrix. The presence of the silver nanoparticles led to a reduction of the fluorescence lifetime of 12-14%.