NANOFOR

Advanced synthesis of colorless nano-fluorophors

The NANOFOR project aims to obtain colorless nano-fluorophors with high optical response by excitation and up-conversion at pre-designed wavelengths. This objective encompasses recent progress in the fields of nanoscience, materials science, and emerging technological advancements.

Upconverting nanoparticles are usually composed of rare-earth based lanthanide- or actinide-doped transition metals and are of particular interest for their applications in in vivo bio-imaging, bio-sensing, and nanomedicine because of their highly efficient cellular uptake and high optical penetrating power with little background noise in the deep tissue level. They also have potential applications in photovoltaics and security, such as infrared detection of hazardous materials.

This project has been financially supported by the Spanish Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO) and by the EU through the European Regional Development Funds (ERDF).

ITACA-DIMAS activities focus on the development of microwave reactors for continuous synthesis of these nanocrystals with special optical properties. Due to the fast nature of this microwave-assisted method, a high nucleation rate is produced, resulting in the homogeneous formation of a significant number of nuclei in a short time. This process prevents nucleation during the growth stage, facilitating a higher growth rate of the nanoparticle and ensuring greater homogeneity in dimension, which increases the production capacity to levels well above the state of the art, as well as improves the optical properties obtained respect to the current conventional process.

NANOFOR

Advanced synthesis of colorless nano-fluorophors

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