Highly efficient BODIPY-doped upconversion nanoparticles for deep-red luminescence bioimaging in vivo

We demonstrate a 3,5-di(p-oxethyl)styryl conjugated BODIPY showing deep-red upconversion luminescence with a high efficiency of 16.6%. Furthermore, water-soluble BODIPY-doped upconversion nanoparticles with efficiency up to 6.9% under low excitation power density (similar to 1 mW cm(-2)) are developed and enable high-performance bioimaging in vivo.

Automated summary

This study demonstrates a 3,5-di(p-oxethyl)styryl conjugated BODIPY with high efficiency deep-red upconversion luminescence, as well as water-soluble BODIPY-doped upconversion nanoparticles that enable high-performance bioimaging in vivo at low excitation power density.