Menu
The research developed in the Nanomaterials and Luminescent Systems Group (NanoLum) is a consequence of continuous evolution, and the focus of research today is wide, but always aiming at luminescent nanostructured systems. Ongoing projects aim to study emission processes via mechanisms such as Downshifting, Upconversion and Downconversion. In addition, the synthesis of particles by spray pyrolysis provides the study of materials for Laser emission in a random environment. Thus, the group works on the synthesis of nano and sub microparticulate inorganic materials with control of the crystal structure to explore the luminescent properties of lanthanide ions, such as alumina, silica, titania, YAG, fluorides, molybdates, and borates; the research has also been carried out in matrices of biological origin, such as bacterial cellulose and fibroin (silk protein extracted from the cocoons of the silkworm, Bombyx mori), always aiming for new devices for emitting light, whether in ultraviolet, visible, or infrared.
A wide range of inorganic matrices, such as alumina (in different crystalline phases), silica, titania, YAG, fluorides, phosphates, molybdates, and borates are continuously prepared by different methodologies and doped with lanthanide ions such as Eu3+, Nd3+, Pr3+, Tb3+, Er3+, Yb3+, and Tm3+, with an extensive study of the emission mechanisms involved, mainly for downshifting and upconversion, with different spectral range from the ultraviolet, passing through the visible and up to near infrared.
The group is active in the preparation and structural study of composites doped with lanthanide ions involving matrices of biological origin, such as bacterial cellulose, gellan gum, and fibroin (silk protein extracted from silkworm cocoons, Bombyx mori), to obtain new materials for application in photonics. The main characteristic of the composites obtained is the high mechanical strength combined with flexibility and transparency in the visible and near-infrared spectral region. In this subproject, there is also work for the development of a luminescent biocompatible composite to be used in a 3D printer.