{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,2,3]],"date-time":"2026-02-03T19:52:12Z","timestamp":1770148332713,"version":"3.49.0"},"reference-count":55,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"1","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2023,12,22]],"date-time":"2023-12-22T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1703203200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100004837","name":"MICINN","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["PID2020-120010RB-I00\/AEI\/10.13039\/501100011033"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["PID2020-120010RB-I00\/AEI\/10.13039\/501100011033"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100004837","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100004837","name":"MICINN","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["PDC2022-133526-I00\/AEI\/10.13039\/501100011033"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["PDC2022-133526-I00\/AEI\/10.13039\/501100011033"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100004837","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100004837","name":"MICINN","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["ED431C 2020\/17"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["ED431C 2020\/17"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100004837","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100004837","name":"MICINN","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["UIDB\/EQU\/00102\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/EQU\/00102\/2020"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100004837","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100004837","name":"MICINN","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["UIDB\/QUI\/00313\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/QUI\/00313\/2020"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100004837","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100004837","name":"MICINN","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["UIDB\/00313\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/00313\/2020"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100004837","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100004837","name":"MICINN","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["UIDP\/00313\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDP\/00313\/2020"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100004837","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100004837","name":"MICINN","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["ICT-2009-02-012-1890"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["ICT-2009-02-012-1890"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100004837","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100004837","name":"MICINN","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["CA18125"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["CA18125"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100004837","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100004837","name":"MICINN","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["ED481A-2020\/104"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["ED481A-2020\/104"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100004837","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100010801","name":"Xunta de Galicia","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["PID2020-120010RB-I00\/AEI\/10.13039\/501100011033"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["PID2020-120010RB-I00\/AEI\/10.13039\/501100011033"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100010801","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100010801","name":"Xunta de Galicia","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["PDC2022-133526-I00\/AEI\/10.13039\/501100011033"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["PDC2022-133526-I00\/AEI\/10.13039\/501100011033"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100010801","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100010801","name":"Xunta de Galicia","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["ED431C 2020\/17"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["ED431C 2020\/17"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100010801","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100010801","name":"Xunta de Galicia","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["UIDB\/EQU\/00102\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/EQU\/00102\/2020"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100010801","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100010801","name":"Xunta de Galicia","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["UIDB\/QUI\/00313\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/QUI\/00313\/2020"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100010801","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100010801","name":"Xunta de Galicia","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["UIDB\/00313\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/00313\/2020"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100010801","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100010801","name":"Xunta de Galicia","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["UIDP\/00313\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDP\/00313\/2020"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100010801","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100010801","name":"Xunta de Galicia","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["ICT-2009-02-012-1890"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["ICT-2009-02-012-1890"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100010801","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100010801","name":"Xunta de Galicia","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["CA18125"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["CA18125"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100010801","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100010801","name":"Xunta de Galicia","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["ED481A-2020\/104"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["ED481A-2020\/104"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100010801","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"name":"Agencia Estatal de Investigaci\u00f3n [AEI] and FEDER funds","award":["PID2020-120010RB-I00\/AEI\/10.13039\/501100011033"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["PID2020-120010RB-I00\/AEI\/10.13039\/501100011033"]}]},{"name":"Agencia Estatal de Investigaci\u00f3n [AEI] and FEDER funds","award":["PDC2022-133526-I00\/AEI\/10.13039\/501100011033"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["PDC2022-133526-I00\/AEI\/10.13039\/501100011033"]}]},{"name":"Agencia Estatal de Investigaci\u00f3n [AEI] and FEDER funds","award":["ED431C 2020\/17"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["ED431C 2020\/17"]}]},{"name":"Agencia Estatal de Investigaci\u00f3n [AEI] and FEDER funds","award":["UIDB\/EQU\/00102\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/EQU\/00102\/2020"]}]},{"name":"Agencia Estatal de Investigaci\u00f3n [AEI] and FEDER funds","award":["UIDB\/QUI\/00313\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/QUI\/00313\/2020"]}]},{"name":"Agencia Estatal de Investigaci\u00f3n [AEI] and FEDER funds","award":["UIDB\/00313\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/00313\/2020"]}]},{"name":"Agencia Estatal de Investigaci\u00f3n [AEI] and FEDER funds","award":["UIDP\/00313\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDP\/00313\/2020"]}]},{"name":"Agencia Estatal de Investigaci\u00f3n [AEI] and FEDER funds","award":["ICT-2009-02-012-1890"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["ICT-2009-02-012-1890"]}]},{"name":"Agencia Estatal de Investigaci\u00f3n [AEI] and FEDER funds","award":["CA18125"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["CA18125"]}]},{"name":"Agencia Estatal de Investigaci\u00f3n [AEI] and FEDER funds","award":["ED481A-2020\/104"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["ED481A-2020\/104"]}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100001871","name":"Funda\u00e7\u00e3o para a Ci\u00eancia e Tecnologia","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["PID2020-120010RB-I00\/AEI\/10.13039\/501100011033"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["PID2020-120010RB-I00\/AEI\/10.13039\/501100011033"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100001871","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100001871","name":"Funda\u00e7\u00e3o para a Ci\u00eancia e Tecnologia","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["PDC2022-133526-I00\/AEI\/10.13039\/501100011033"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["PDC2022-133526-I00\/AEI\/10.13039\/501100011033"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100001871","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100001871","name":"Funda\u00e7\u00e3o para a Ci\u00eancia e Tecnologia","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["ED431C 2020\/17"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["ED431C 2020\/17"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100001871","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100001871","name":"Funda\u00e7\u00e3o para a Ci\u00eancia e Tecnologia","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["UIDB\/EQU\/00102\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/EQU\/00102\/2020"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100001871","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100001871","name":"Funda\u00e7\u00e3o para a Ci\u00eancia e Tecnologia","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["UIDB\/QUI\/00313\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/QUI\/00313\/2020"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100001871","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100001871","name":"Funda\u00e7\u00e3o para a Ci\u00eancia e Tecnologia","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["UIDB\/00313\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/00313\/2020"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100001871","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100001871","name":"Funda\u00e7\u00e3o para a Ci\u00eancia e Tecnologia","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["UIDP\/00313\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDP\/00313\/2020"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100001871","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100001871","name":"Funda\u00e7\u00e3o para a Ci\u00eancia e Tecnologia","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["ICT-2009-02-012-1890"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["ICT-2009-02-012-1890"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100001871","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100001871","name":"Funda\u00e7\u00e3o para a Ci\u00eancia e Tecnologia","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["CA18125"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["CA18125"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100001871","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100001871","name":"Funda\u00e7\u00e3o para a Ci\u00eancia e Tecnologia","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["ED481A-2020\/104"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["ED481A-2020\/104"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100001871","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"name":"TAIL-UC","award":["PID2020-120010RB-I00\/AEI\/10.13039\/501100011033"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["PID2020-120010RB-I00\/AEI\/10.13039\/501100011033"]}]},{"name":"TAIL-UC","award":["PDC2022-133526-I00\/AEI\/10.13039\/501100011033"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["PDC2022-133526-I00\/AEI\/10.13039\/501100011033"]}]},{"name":"TAIL-UC","award":["ED431C 2020\/17"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["ED431C 2020\/17"]}]},{"name":"TAIL-UC","award":["UIDB\/EQU\/00102\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/EQU\/00102\/2020"]}]},{"name":"TAIL-UC","award":["UIDB\/QUI\/00313\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/QUI\/00313\/2020"]}]},{"name":"TAIL-UC","award":["UIDB\/00313\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/00313\/2020"]}]},{"name":"TAIL-UC","award":["UIDP\/00313\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDP\/00313\/2020"]}]},{"name":"TAIL-UC","award":["ICT-2009-02-012-1890"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["ICT-2009-02-012-1890"]}]},{"name":"TAIL-UC","award":["CA18125"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["CA18125"]}]},{"name":"TAIL-UC","award":["ED481A-2020\/104"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["ED481A-2020\/104"]}]},{"name":"European Commission","award":["PID2020-120010RB-I00\/AEI\/10.13039\/501100011033"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["PID2020-120010RB-I00\/AEI\/10.13039\/501100011033"]}]},{"name":"European Commission","award":["PDC2022-133526-I00\/AEI\/10.13039\/501100011033"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["PDC2022-133526-I00\/AEI\/10.13039\/501100011033"]}]},{"name":"European Commission","award":["ED431C 2020\/17"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["ED431C 2020\/17"]}]},{"name":"European Commission","award":["UIDB\/EQU\/00102\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/EQU\/00102\/2020"]}]},{"name":"European Commission","award":["UIDB\/QUI\/00313\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/QUI\/00313\/2020"]}]},{"name":"European Commission","award":["UIDB\/00313\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/00313\/2020"]}]},{"name":"European Commission","award":["UIDP\/00313\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDP\/00313\/2020"]}]},{"name":"European Commission","award":["ICT-2009-02-012-1890"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["ICT-2009-02-012-1890"]}]},{"name":"European Commission","award":["CA18125"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["CA18125"]}]},{"name":"European Commission","award":["ED481A-2020\/104"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["ED481A-2020\/104"]}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100000921","name":"COST","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["PID2020-120010RB-I00\/AEI\/10.13039\/501100011033"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["PID2020-120010RB-I00\/AEI\/10.13039\/501100011033"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100000921","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100000921","name":"COST","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["PDC2022-133526-I00\/AEI\/10.13039\/501100011033"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["PDC2022-133526-I00\/AEI\/10.13039\/501100011033"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100000921","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100000921","name":"COST","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["ED431C 2020\/17"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["ED431C 2020\/17"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100000921","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100000921","name":"COST","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["UIDB\/EQU\/00102\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/EQU\/00102\/2020"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100000921","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100000921","name":"COST","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["UIDB\/QUI\/00313\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/QUI\/00313\/2020"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100000921","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100000921","name":"COST","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["UIDB\/00313\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/00313\/2020"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100000921","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100000921","name":"COST","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["UIDP\/00313\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDP\/00313\/2020"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100000921","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100000921","name":"COST","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["ICT-2009-02-012-1890"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["ICT-2009-02-012-1890"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100000921","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100000921","name":"COST","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["CA18125"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["CA18125"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100000921","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"DOI":"10.13039\/501100000921","name":"COST","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","award":["ED481A-2020\/104"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["ED481A-2020\/104"]}],"id":[{"id":"10.13039\/501100000921","id-type":"DOI","asserted-by":"publisher"}]},{"name":"Universidade de Coimbra and the Xunta de Galicia","award":["PID2020-120010RB-I00\/AEI\/10.13039\/501100011033"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["PID2020-120010RB-I00\/AEI\/10.13039\/501100011033"]}]},{"name":"Universidade de Coimbra and the Xunta de Galicia","award":["PDC2022-133526-I00\/AEI\/10.13039\/501100011033"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["PDC2022-133526-I00\/AEI\/10.13039\/501100011033"]}]},{"name":"Universidade de Coimbra and the Xunta de Galicia","award":["ED431C 2020\/17"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["ED431C 2020\/17"]}]},{"name":"Universidade de Coimbra and the Xunta de Galicia","award":["UIDB\/EQU\/00102\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/EQU\/00102\/2020"]}]},{"name":"Universidade de Coimbra and the Xunta de Galicia","award":["UIDB\/QUI\/00313\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/QUI\/00313\/2020"]}]},{"name":"Universidade de Coimbra and the Xunta de Galicia","award":["UIDB\/00313\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDB\/00313\/2020"]}]},{"name":"Universidade de Coimbra and the Xunta de Galicia","award":["UIDP\/00313\/2020"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["UIDP\/00313\/2020"]}]},{"name":"Universidade de Coimbra and the Xunta de Galicia","award":["ICT-2009-02-012-1890"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["ICT-2009-02-012-1890"]}]},{"name":"Universidade de Coimbra and the Xunta de Galicia","award":["CA18125"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["CA18125"]}]},{"name":"Universidade de Coimbra and the Xunta de Galicia","award":["ED481A-2020\/104"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["ED481A-2020\/104"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Gels"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) are under consideration for their use as bioimaging probes with enhanced optical performance for real time follow-up under non-invasive conditions. Photostable and core-shell NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+-SiO2 UCNPs obtained by a novel and simple co-precipitation method from lanthanide nitrates or oxides were herein synthesized for the first time. The sol\u2013gel St\u00f6ber method followed by oven or supercritical gel drying was used to confer biocompatible surface properties to UCNPs by the formation of an ultrathin silica coating. Upconversion (UC) spectra were studied to evaluate the fluorescence of UCNPs upon red\/near infrared (NIR) irradiation. \u03b6-potential measurements, TEM analyses, XRD patterns and long-term physicochemical stability were also assessed and confirmed that the UCNPs co-precipitation synthesis is a shape- and phase-controlling approach. The bio- and hemocompatibility of the UCNPs formulation with the highest fluorescence intensity was evaluated with murine fibroblasts and human blood, respectively, and provided excellent results that endorse the efficacy of the silica gel coating. The herein synthesized UCNPs can be regarded as efficient fluorescent probes for bioimaging purposes with the high luminescence, physicochemical stability and biocompatibility required for biomedical applications.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/gels10010013","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2023,12,24]],"date-time":"2023-12-24T20:42:30Z","timestamp":1703450550000},"page":"13","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":16,"title":["Synthesis of Highly Luminescent Silica-Coated Upconversion Nanoparticles from Lanthanide Oxides or Nitrates Using Co-Precipitation and Sol\u2013Gel Methods"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"10","author":[{"given":"Ana","family":"Iglesias-Mejuto","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"AerogelsLab, I + D Farma Group (GI-1645), Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, iMATUS and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, E-15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5948-0921","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Alyne","family":"Lamy-Mendes","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Coimbra, CIEPQPF\u2014Centro de Investiga\u00e7\u00e3o em Engenharia dos Processos Qu\u00edmicos e Produtos da Floresta, Department of Chemical Engineering, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-1848-1167","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Jo\u00e3o","family":"Pina","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Coimbra Chemistry Centre\u2014Institute of Molecular Sciences, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-8737-4851","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Benilde F. O.","family":"Costa","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Coimbra, CFisUC, Physics Department, 3004-516 Coimbra, Portugal"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-9542-3679","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Carlos A.","family":"Garc\u00eda-Gonz\u00e1lez","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"AerogelsLab, I + D Farma Group (GI-1645), Department of Pharmacology, Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Technology, Faculty of Pharmacy, iMATUS and Health Research Institute of Santiago de Compostela (IDIS), Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, E-15782 Santiago de Compostela, Spain"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-3336-2449","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Luisa","family":"Dur\u00e3es","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"University of Coimbra, CIEPQPF\u2014Centro de Investiga\u00e7\u00e3o em Engenharia dos Processos Qu\u00edmicos e Produtos da Floresta, Department of Chemical Engineering, 3030-790 Coimbra, Portugal"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2023,12,22]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","first-page":"e28923","article-title":"Bioimaging: Evolution, Significance, and Deficit","volume":"14","author":"Lahoti","year":"2022","journal-title":"Cureus"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3601","DOI":"10.1039\/C6AN00150E","article-title":"Bioapplications and Biotechnologies of Upconversion Nanoparticle-Based Nanosensors","volume":"141","author":"Wang","year":"2016","journal-title":"Analyst"},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"504","DOI":"10.1016\/j.talanta.2016.02.039","article-title":"Facile Synthesis of 5 Nm NaYF4:Yb\/Er Nanoparticles for Targeted Upconversion Imaging of Cancer Cells","volume":"152","author":"Hu","year":"2016","journal-title":"Talanta"},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gerelkhuu, Z., Lee, Y.-I., and Yoon, T.H. (2022). Upconversion Nanomaterials in Bioimaging and Biosensor Applications and Their Biological Response. Nanomaterials, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/nano12193470"},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2499","DOI":"10.1021\/acsami.2c12370","article-title":"Lanthanide-Doped Upconversion Nanoparticles: Exploring A Treasure Trove of NIR-Mediated Emerging Applications","volume":"15","author":"Malhotra","year":"2023","journal-title":"ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces"},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mahata, M.K., De, R., and Lee, K.T. (2021). Near-Infrared-Triggered Upconverting Nanoparticles for Biomedicine Applications. Biomedicines, 9.","DOI":"10.3390\/biomedicines9070756"},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Vorotnikov, Y.A., Vorotnikova, N.A., and Shestopalov, M.A. (2023). Silica-Based Materials Containing Inorganic Red\/NIR Emitters and Their Application in Biomedicine. Materials, 16.","DOI":"10.3390\/ma16175869"},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"134","DOI":"10.1007\/s12272-020-01208-3","article-title":"Emerging NIR Light-Responsive Delivery Systems Based on Lanthanide-Doped Upconverting Nanoparticles","volume":"43","author":"Le","year":"2020","journal-title":"Arch. Pharm. Res."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"197","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jphotobiol.2017.04.014","article-title":"Biological Effects and Medical Applications of Infrared Radiation","volume":"170","author":"Tsai","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Photochem. Photobiol. B Biol."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1561","DOI":"10.1039\/C4CS00177J","article-title":"Upconverting Nanoparticles: Assessing the Toxicity","volume":"44","author":"Gnach","year":"2015","journal-title":"Chem. Soc. Rev."},{"key":"ref_11","first-page":"973073","article-title":"The Impact of Near-Infrared in Plastic Surgery","volume":"2013","author":"Tanaka","year":"2013","journal-title":"Plast. Surg. Int. J."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1901358","DOI":"10.1002\/advs.201901358","article-title":"Recent Progress of Rare-Earth Doped Upconversion Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Optimization, and Applications","volume":"6","author":"Zhu","year":"2019","journal-title":"Adv. Sci."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2692","DOI":"10.1021\/acs.accounts.0c00513","article-title":"Lanthanide-Activated Nanoparticles: A Toolbox for Bioimaging, Therapeutics, and Neuromodulation","volume":"53","author":"Yi","year":"2020","journal-title":"Acc. Chem. Res."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"8243","DOI":"10.1016\/j.biomaterials.2011.07.053","article-title":"Multifunctional Rare-Earth Self-Assembled Nanosystem for Tri-Modal Upconversion Luminescence \/Fluorescence \/Positron Emission Tomography Imaging","volume":"32","author":"Liu","year":"2011","journal-title":"Biomaterials"},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1327","DOI":"10.2217\/nnm.11.56","article-title":"In Vivo Pharmacokinetics, Long-Term Biodistribution and Toxicology Study of Functionalized Upconversion Nanoparticles in Mice","volume":"6","author":"Cheng","year":"2011","journal-title":"Nanomedicine"},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cis.2017.05.006","article-title":"Multicomponent Nanocrystals with Anti-Stokes Luminescence as Contrast Agents for Modern Imaging Techniques","volume":"245","author":"Generalova","year":"2017","journal-title":"Adv. Colloid Interface Sci."},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"129","DOI":"10.3390\/nano4010129","article-title":"Recent Advance of Biological Molecular Imaging Based on Lanthanide-Doped Upconversion-Luminescent Nanomaterials","volume":"4","author":"Min","year":"2014","journal-title":"Nanomaterials"},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"944","DOI":"10.1039\/C2NR32482B","article-title":"Upconversion Luminescence with Tunable Lifetime in NaYF4: Yb,Er Nanocrystals: Role of Nanocrystal Size","volume":"5","author":"Zhao","year":"2013","journal-title":"Nanoscale"},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1801304","DOI":"10.1002\/smll.201801304","article-title":"Lanthanide Doped Near Infrared Active Upconversion Nanophosphors: Fundamental Concepts, Synthesis Strategies, and Technological Applications","volume":"14","author":"Balaji","year":"2018","journal-title":"Small"},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"8765","DOI":"10.1002\/anie.201803083","article-title":"NaYF4: Yb,Er\/NaYF4 Core\/Shell Nanocrystals with High Upconversion Luminescence Quantum Yield","volume":"57","author":"Homann","year":"2018","journal-title":"Angew. Chem. Int. Ed."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"710","DOI":"10.1016\/j.nano.2011.02.013","article-title":"Upconversion Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Surface Modification and Biological Applications","volume":"7","author":"Wang","year":"2011","journal-title":"Nanomed. Nanotechnol. Biol. Med."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"400","DOI":"10.1177\/0885328216658779","article-title":"Multifunctional Upconversion Nanoparticles for Targeted Dual-Modal Imaging in Rat Glioma Xenograft","volume":"31","author":"Yang","year":"2016","journal-title":"J. Biomater. Appl."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Alkahtani, M., Alsofyani, N., Alfahd, A., Almuqhim, A.A., Almughem, F.A., Alshehri, A.A., Qasem, H., and Hemmer, P.R. (2021). Engineering Red-Enhanced and Biocompatible Upconversion Nanoparticles. Nanomaterials, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/nano11020284"},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"17101","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-018-35513-1","article-title":"Morphological Evolution of Upconversion Nanoparticles and Their Biomedical Signal Generation","volume":"8","author":"Rafique","year":"2018","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"23","DOI":"10.1016\/j.matchemphys.2017.03.033","article-title":"Controlled Synthesis of \u03b2-NaYF 4:Yb, Er Microphosphors and Upconversion Luminescence Property","volume":"194","author":"Zhou","year":"2017","journal-title":"Mater. Chem. Phys."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1036715","DOI":"10.3389\/fchem.2023.1036715","article-title":"Recent Advances in Lanthanide-Doped up-Conversion Probes for Theranostics","volume":"11","author":"Xu","year":"2023","journal-title":"Front. Chem."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3888","DOI":"10.1002\/smll.201601565","article-title":"Lanthanide Ion Doped Upconverting Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Structure and Properties","volume":"12","author":"Yan","year":"2016","journal-title":"Small"},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"346","DOI":"10.7150\/thno.5137","article-title":"Upconversion Nanophosphors Nalu4: Yb,Tm for Lymphatic Imaging In Vivo by Real-Time Upconversion Luminescence Imaging under Ambient Light and High-Resolution X-Ray CT","volume":"3","author":"Sun","year":"2013","journal-title":"Theranostics"},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"62","DOI":"10.1016\/0021-9797(68)90272-5","article-title":"Controlled Growth of Monodisperse Silica Spheres in the Micron Size Range","volume":"26","author":"Fink","year":"1968","journal-title":"J. Colloid Interface Sci."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gon\u00e7alves, M.C. (2018). Sol-Gel Silica Nanoparticles in Medicine: A Natural Choice. Design, Synthesis and Products. Molecules, 23.","DOI":"10.3390\/molecules23082021"},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3481","DOI":"10.1021\/ar500253g","article-title":"Upconversion Nanoparticles: From Hydrophobic to Hydrophilic Surfaces","volume":"47","author":"Muhr","year":"2014","journal-title":"Acc. Chem. Res."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1047","DOI":"10.1039\/C2NR33046F","article-title":"Synthesis of Stable Carboxy-Terminated NaYF4: Yb3+, Er3+@SiO2 Nanoparticles with Ultrathin Shell for Biolabeling Applications","volume":"5","author":"Liu","year":"2013","journal-title":"Nanoscale"},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Guryev, E.L., Smyshlyaeva, A.S., Shilyagina, N.Y., Sokolova, E.A., Shanwar, S., Kostyuk, A.B., Lyubeshkin, A.V., Schulga, A.A., Konovalova, E.V., and Lin, Q. (2020). UCNP-Based Photoluminescent Nanomedicines for Targeted Imaging and Theranostics of Cancer. Molecules, 25.","DOI":"10.3390\/molecules25184302"},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"7838","DOI":"10.1021\/nn201896m","article-title":"Polymer-Coated NaYF4: Yb3+, Er3+ Upconversion Nanoparticles for Charge-Dependent Cellular Imaging","volume":"5","author":"Jin","year":"2011","journal-title":"ACS Nano"},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"7862","DOI":"10.1039\/C8TB02213E","article-title":"Developing a pH-Sensitive Al(OH)3 Layer-Mediated UCNP@Al(OH)3\/Au Nanohybrid for Photothermal Therapy and Fluorescence Imaging in vivo","volume":"6","author":"Chen","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Mater. Chem. B"},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"12","DOI":"10.1002\/smll.200901158","article-title":"Effect of Surface Properties on Nanoparticle\u2014Cell Interactions","volume":"6","author":"Verma","year":"2010","journal-title":"Small"},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1032","DOI":"10.1016\/S1002-0721(14)60179-4","article-title":"Phase-, Shape- and Size-Controlled Synthesis of NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ Nanoparticles Using Rare-Earth Acetate Precursors","volume":"32","author":"Li","year":"2014","journal-title":"J. Rare Earths"},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Nahorniak, M., Patsula, V., Marekov\u00e1, D., Matou\u0161, P., Shapoval, O., Oleksa, V., Vosmansk\u00e1, M., Machov\u00e1 Urdz\u00edkov\u00e1, L., Jendelov\u00e1, P., and Herynek, V. (2023). Chemical and Colloidal Stability of Polymer-Coated NaYF4:Yb, Er Nanoparticles in Aqueous Media and Viability of Cells: The Effect of a Protective Coating. Int. J. Mol. Sci., 24.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijms24032724"},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1207984","DOI":"10.3389\/fchem.2023.1207984","article-title":"Polymer-Coated Hexagonal Upconverting Nanoparticles: Chemical Stability and Cytotoxicity","volume":"11","author":"Patsula","year":"2023","journal-title":"Front. Chem."},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"8751","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-017-09222-0","article-title":"Highly Efficient Up-Conversion Luminescence in Er3+\/Yb3+ Co-Doped Na5Lu9F32 Single Crystals by Vertical Bridgman Method","volume":"7","author":"He","year":"2017","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Lashkovskaya, E.I., Gaponenko, N.V., Stepikhova, M.V., Yablonskiy, A.N., Andreev, B.A., Zhivulko, V.D., Mudryi, A.V., Martynov, I.L., Chistyakov, A.A., and Kargin, N.I. (2022). Optical Properties and Upconversion Luminescence of BaTiO3 Xerogel Structures Doped with Erbium and Ytterbium. Gels, 8.","DOI":"10.3390\/gels8060347"},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2165","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-023-28583-3","article-title":"Up-Conversion Emission in Transition Metal and Lanthanide Co-Doped Systems: Dimer Sensitization Revisited","volume":"13","author":"Avram","year":"2023","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."},{"key":"ref_43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1067","DOI":"10.1016\/j.msec.2019.02.046","article-title":"A Facile Hydrothermal Synthesis of Highly Luminescent NaYF4:Yb3+\/Er3+ Upconversion Nanoparticles and Their Biomonitoring Capability","volume":"99","author":"Rafique","year":"2019","journal-title":"Mater. Sci. Eng. C"},{"key":"ref_44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"238","DOI":"10.1007\/s10812-022-01349-x","article-title":"Upconversion Luminescence of Er3+ Ions from Barium Titanate Xerogel Powder and Target Fabricated by Explosive Compaction Method","volume":"89","author":"Gaponenko","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Appl. Spectrosc."},{"key":"ref_45","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"559","DOI":"10.1002\/adhm.201400676","article-title":"Facile Preparation of Doxorubicin-Loaded Upconversion@Polydopamine Nanoplatforms for Simultaneous In Vivo Multimodality Imaging and Chemophotothermal Synergistic Therapy","volume":"4","author":"Liu","year":"2015","journal-title":"Adv. Healthc. Mater."},{"key":"ref_46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"924","DOI":"10.1038\/nnano.2015.251","article-title":"Controlling Upconversion Nanocrystals for Emerging Applications","volume":"10","author":"Zhou","year":"2015","journal-title":"Nat. Nanotech"},{"key":"ref_47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"263","DOI":"10.1016\/j.matdes.2017.05.064","article-title":"Superparamagnetic Core-Shell Nanocomplexes Doped with Yb3+: Er3+\/Ho3+ Rare-Earths for Upconversion Fluorescence","volume":"130","author":"Costa","year":"2017","journal-title":"Mater. Des."},{"key":"ref_48","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"111124","DOI":"10.1016\/j.msec.2020.111124","article-title":"Supercritically Dried Superparamagnetic Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles for Cancer Theranostics","volume":"115","author":"Cordeiro","year":"2020","journal-title":"Mater. Sci. Eng. C"},{"key":"ref_49","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4122","DOI":"10.1016\/j.biomaterials.2008.07.012","article-title":"Biocompatibility of Silica Coated NaYF4 Upconversion Fluorescent Nanocrystals","volume":"29","author":"Zhang","year":"2008","journal-title":"Biomaterials"},{"key":"ref_50","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3465","DOI":"10.1039\/c3nr00081h","article-title":"In Vitro Cell Imaging Using Multifunctional Small Sized KGdF4: Yb3+, Er3+ Upconverting Nanoparticles Synthesized by a One-Pot Solvothermal Process","volume":"5","author":"Wong","year":"2013","journal-title":"Nanoscale"},{"key":"ref_51","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Rostami, I. (2021). Empowering the Emission of Upconversion Nanoparticles for Precise Subcellular Imaging. Nanomaterials, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/nano11061541"},{"key":"ref_52","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2191","DOI":"10.1021\/nl048680h","article-title":"Synthesis, Characterization, and Biological Application of Size-Controlled Nanocrystalline NaYF4: Yb,Er Infrared-to-Visible Up-Conversion Phosphors","volume":"4","author":"Yi","year":"2004","journal-title":"Nano Lett."},{"key":"ref_53","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mili\u0107evi\u0107, B., Peri\u0161a, J., Risti\u0107, Z., Milenkovi\u0107, K., Anti\u0107, \u017d., Smits, K., Kemere, M., Vitols, K., Sarakovskis, A., and Drami\u0107anin, M. (2022). Hydrothermal Synthesis and Properties of Yb3+\/Tm3+ Doped Sr2LaF7 Upconversion Nanoparticles. Nanomaterials, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/nano13010030"},{"key":"ref_54","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2193","DOI":"10.1166\/jnn.2010.2134","article-title":"Formation and Luminescence of Sodium Rare Earth Fluoride Nanocrystals in the Presence of Chelators","volume":"10","author":"Zhou","year":"2010","journal-title":"J. Nanosci. Nanotechnol."},{"key":"ref_55","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"6410","DOI":"10.1021\/acs.inorgchem.8b00484","article-title":"Formation Mechanism, Structural, and Upconversion Properties of Alkaline Rare-Earth Fluoride Nanocrystals Doped with Yb3+\/Er3+ Ions","volume":"57","author":"Grzyb","year":"2018","journal-title":"Inorg. Chem."}],"container-title":["Gels"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2310-2861\/10\/1\/13\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,10]],"date-time":"2025-10-10T21:40:35Z","timestamp":1760132435000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2310-2861\/10\/1\/13"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2023,12,22]]},"references-count":55,"journal-issue":{"issue":"1","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2024,1]]}},"alternative-id":["gels10010013"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/gels10010013","relation":{},"ISSN":["2310-2861"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2310-2861","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2023,12,22]]}}}