Scientists make dead nanoparticles emit light with tiny antennas

Researchers at the University of Cambridge’s Cavendish Laboratory have overcome a major challenge in optoelectronics by developing a method to electrically power lanthanide-doped nanoparticles (LnNPs), which were previously considered unusable in electronic devices due to their insulating nature. The team created an organic-inorganic hybrid material by attaching an organic dye, 9-anthracenecarboxylic acid (9-ACA), to the surface of the LnNPs. This dye acts as an “antenna” that directly receives electrical charges, bypassing the insulating nanoparticles. The energy captured by the 9-ACA molecules is transferred with over 98% efficiency to the lanthanide ions, resulting in bright light emission and enabling the creation of a new class of LEDs called LnLEDs. These LnLEDs operate at low voltages (~5 volts) and emit light with exceptionally narrow spectral width in the second near-infrared (NIR-II) window, which can penetrate biological