Abstract
Due to the high atomic number of lutetium and the low phonon energy of the fluoride matrix, Lu-based fluoride nanoparticles doped with active lanthanide ions are potential candidates as bioprobes in both X-ray computed tomography and luminescent imaging. This paper shows a method for the fabrication of uniform, water-dispersible Eu3+:(H3O)Lu3F10 nanoparticles doped with different Eu contents. Their luminescent properties were studied by means of excitation and emission spectra as well as decay curves. The X-ray attenuation capacity of the phosphor showing the highest emission intensity was subsequently analyzed and compared with a commercial contrast agent. The results indicated that the 10% Eu3+-doped (H3O)Lu3F10 nanoparticles fabricated with the proposed polyol-based method are good candidates to be used as dual probes for luminescent imaging and X-ray computed tomography.
Highlights
Due to their unique luminescent properties such as photostability, long fluorescence lifetimes, narrow emission lines, and large Stokes shifts, RE-based (RE = rare-earths, including Y, Sc, and Lanthanides) inorganic nanoparticles are considered very promising candidates for different applications in biomedicine such as bioimaging [1], biosensing [2], and therapy [3]
Due to the high atomic number of lutetium and the low phonon energy of the fluoride matrix, Lu-based fluoride nanoparticles doped with active lanthanide ions are potential candidates as bioprobes in both X-ray computed tomography and luminescent imaging
The results indicated that the 10% Eu3+-doped (H3O)Lu3F10 nanoparticles fabricated with the proposed polyol-based method are good candidates to be used as dual probes for luminescent imaging and X-ray computed tomography
Summary
Ln:REF3 and Ln:AREF4 (Ln: optically active lanthanide, A = Na and K) have been extensively investigated [10,11,12] and a number of synthetic routes have been described, which render adequate nanoparticles to be used in biomedicine These routes include hydrothermal [13,14] and solvothermal [15,16] synthesis at temperatures above 100 ◦C. Compared with the successful synthesis and application of Ln:REF3 and Ln:AREF4 nanoparticles, little attention has been paid to the fabrication of RE fluoride nanoparticles with different stoichiometry such as Ln:ARE3F10 (A = alkaline and H3O) [17,18,19] Among them, those with RE = Lu would be interesting as luminescent bioprobes and as X-ray computed tomography contrast agents (CT CAs). The luminescence and X-ray attenuation properties of such doped nanophosphors were analyzed to assess their suitability for biomedical applications as luminescence bioprobes and as CAs for X-ray computed tomography
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
