Ratiometric nanothermometer in vivo based on triplet sensitized upconversion

Nat Commun. 2018 Jul 12;9(1):2698. doi: 10.1038/s41467-018-05160-1.

Abstract

Temperature is an essential factor that counts for living systems where complicated vital activities are usually temperature dependent. In vivo temperature mapping based on non-contact optical approach will be beneficial for revealing the physiological phenomena behind with minimized influence to the organism. Herein, a highly thermal-sensitive upconversion system based on triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA) mechanism is pioneered to indicate body temperature variation sensitively over the physiological temperature range. The temperature-insensitive NaYF4: Nd nanophosphors with NIR emission was incorporated into the temperature-responsive TTA-upconversion system to serve as an internal calibration unit. Consequently, a ratiometric thermometer capable of accurately monitoring the temperature changes in vivo was developed with high thermal sensitivity (~7.1% K-1) and resolution (~0.1 K).

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Body Temperature / physiology
  • Fluorides / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Inflammation / physiopathology
  • Luminescent Measurements / methods
  • Metal Nanoparticles / chemistry*
  • Metal Nanoparticles / ultrastructure
  • Mice
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Neodymium / chemistry*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Thermometers*
  • Thermometry / instrumentation*
  • Thermometry / methods
  • Yttrium / chemistry*

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • sodium yttriumtetrafluoride
  • Neodymium
  • Yttrium
  • Fluorides