A Luminescent Molecular Thermometer for Long‐Term Absolute Temperature Measurements at the Nanoscale

• DOI: 10.1002/adma.201001780
• Publication Date: 2010-08-31T17:33:48Z
• Authors: Carlos D. S. Brites; Patricia P. Lima; Nuno J. O. Silva; Angel Millán; Vitor S. Amaral; Fernando Palacio; Luís D. Carlos
• Keywords: Magnetics; Luminescent Agents; Europium; Thermometers; Temperature; Nanoparticles; 02 engineering and technology; Terbium; 0210 nano-technology; Sensitivity and Specificity

El pdf del artículo es la versión post-print.<br/>Peer Reviewed<br/>A unique Eu3+/Tb3+ luminescent self-referencing nanothermometer allowing absolute measurements in the 10–350 K temperature range and sub-micrometer spatial resolution is reported (see Figure). It has up to 4.9%·K−1 temperature sensitivity and high photostability for long-term use. The combination of molecular thermometry, superparamagnetism and luminescence in a nanometric host matrix provides multifunctionality opening the way for new exciting applications.<br/>We acknowledge Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal), COMPETE and FEDER programs (PTDC/CTM/101324/2008) and Integrated Spanish-Portuguese Action PT2009–0131 for fi nancial support. The work in Zaragoza has been supported by the grants MAT2007–61621 and CONSOLIDER CSD2007–00010 from the Ministry of Education. CDSB (SFRH/BD/38472/2007) and PPL (SFRH/BPD/34365/2006) thank FCT for grants.<br/>