Summary of UCNP physicochemical properties.
| Parameter | Si-UCNP | AzSi-UCNP |
|---|---|---|
| Host matrix | LiYF4 | |
| Sensitizer | 25 mol% Yb3+ | |
| Activator | 0.2 mol% Tm3+ | |
| Morphology | Square bipyramidal | |
| Coating | Unfunctionalized silica | Azide-functionalized silica |
| Core size; length [nm] | 98.3 ± 6.5 | 98.3 ± 6.5 |
| Core size; width [nm] | 52.3 ± 4.3 | 52.3 ± 4.3 |
| Size + shell, length [nm] | 109.5 ± 7.0 | 111.2 ± 6.8 |
| Size + shell, width [nm] | 71.6 ± 4.8 | 73.0 ± 5.9 |
| Shell thickness at edge [nm] | 10.2 ± 1.1 | 10.4 ± 1.4 |
| Shell thickness at apex [nm] | 5.4 ± 1.0 | 5.5 ± 0.9 |
| Zeta potential in water, 0.5 mg mL−1 Ln-UCNP [mV] | −11.5 ± 2.3 | −16.3 ± 0.4 |
| Zeta potential in DMEM, 0.5 mg mL−1 [mV] | −4.1 ± 0.1 | −9.0 ± 0.5 |