Tuning the upconversion photoluminescence lifetimes of NaYF(4):Yb(3+), Er(3+) through lanthanide Gd(3+) doping

The multiplexing capacity of conventional fluorescence materials are significantly limited by spectral overlap and background interference, mainly due to their short-lived fluorescence lifetimes. Here, we adopt a novel Gd(3+) doping strategy in NaYF(4) host materials, realized tuning of upconversion photoluminescence (UCPL) lifetimes at selective emissions. Time-correlated single-photon counting (TCSPC), was applied to measure the photoluminescence lifetimes accurately. We demonstrated the large dynamic range of lifetimes of upconversion nanoparticles with good upconversion quantum yields, mainly owing to the dominance of high efficient energy transfer upconversion mechanism. The exceptional tunable properties of upconversion materials allow great potential for them to be utilized in biotechnology and life sciences.