Experimental Assessment of the Optical Properties of Lanthanide-doped Upconverting Nanoparticles and their Interaction with Graphene

In the frame of this research project, lanthanide-doped nanoparticles will be synthesized that are able to convert low- to high-energy light in a process called upconversion. Given their outstanding optical properties, these upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) are promising candidates for applications ranging from biomedicine to optoelectronics and the energy sector. We will combine UCNPs with monolayers of graphene into novel UCNP@Graphene hybrids. Graphene is an excellent conductor of electricity and can absorb light with a wide range of wavelengths, though, most of the times the absorbed light is converted into heat. By combining the graphene sheets with the UCNPs it is believed that the emission properties (and thereby the upconversion efficiency) of the hybrids are significantly improved. The created hybrids are thus intensively studied by different analytical tools and techniques, such as transmission and scanning electron microscopy, hyperspectral imaging and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Ultimately, we aim at developing a whole new class of optoelectronic devices using the upconversion properties of the UCNPs and the strong light absorption and flexibility of graphene. One of the envisioned devices are flexible and highly efficient solar cell to reduce the need for carbon and nuclear power plants.

Faculty Supervisor:

Eva Hemmer

Student:

Partner:

University of Tübingen

Discipline:

Physics

Sector:

Nanotechnology; Energy and Utilities; Life Sciences (not health)

University:

University of Ottawa

Program: