Lanthanide ion-based luminescent nanomaterials for bioimaging

Lanthanide ion-based luminescent nanomaterials have been developed for their unique properties (i.e. long lifetime, narrow full width at half maximum for emission peaks, and large Stokes shift). It is still a big challenge to construct new luminescent nanoparticles (NPs) with good biocompatibility for biological applications.In this review, we describe the advancements in up-conversion of lanthanide NPs and long-lasting luminescent NPs. We include mechanisms, selection, surface functionalization and applications in bioimaging.

► We describe the advancements in lanthanide luminescent bio-probes.
► We highlight selection of host materials, emitting activator ions and sensitizers.
► Surface functionalization is useful to improve the hydrophilicity of nanoparticles.
► We review new trends in luminescent nanoparticles for bioimaging.