Development of materials for fluorescence imaging with a wide optical range is important for clinical applications. In this work, a solution synthesis method was used for making Ag–Ho, Ag–Sm, Ag–Zn, Ag–Cu Ag–Cs, Ag–Zr, Ag–Er, Ag–Y and Ag–Co metal organic compound nanoparticles. XRD, XPS and TEM were carried out for sample characterization. They showed broad fluorescence from the UV to NIR region. In particular, they presented near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence (800–1100 nm) when excitation light of 785 nm was used. Furthermore, a white-to-green or blue-to-white transition was observed when excitation light varied from 290 nm to 370 nm. Proof-of-concept experiments were performed via UV light (359–371 nm), blue light (450–490 nm), green light (540–552 nm) and NIR light (center wavelength = 785 nm) excitation with pig-kidney tissue samples. They showed potential for biomedical fluorescence imaging in the UV-Vis-NIR range.

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The development of nanomaterials with special optical window is critical for clinical applications and the optoelectronic industry. In this work, eight kinds of samarium-based metal organic compound nanoparticles (Sm–Fe, Sm–Ga, Sm–Mn, Sm–Na, Sm–Nb, Sm–W, Sm–Cu, and Sm–Al) were synthesized through a solution method. They show polychromatic-photoluminescence spectra extended from the UV to near-infrared (NIR) region when excited by 280 nm, 380 nm, 480 nm, 580 nm, and 785 nm light. They emit direct white light with respect to UV excitation. Tunable white-to-green fluorescence can be achieved by variation of excitation light around 300–400 nm. When they are excited by a 785 nm light source, they show intense fluorescence around 800–1100 nm, which is promising for NIR bio-imaging. Their application in multicolor ultra-wide-range bio-tissue fluorescence imaging is demonstrated by UV (359–371 nm), blue (450–490 nm), green (540–552 nm), and NIR light (central wavelength = 785 nm) excitation with pig kidney tissue samples.