LUMINESCENT NANOPARTICLE FUNCTIONALIZATION VIA SOL-GEL

Abstract

Purpose: Luminescent particles have been extensively studied aiming at their use as biological markers, drug carriers, solid-state lasers, light bulbs, and intensifying screens, among other applications. Yttrium vanadate doped with lanthanide ions (YVO 4 :Ln 3+ ) is one of the main matrixes used for this purpose. According to the IUPAC, the elements located between lanthanum and lutetium display luminescent properties, attributed to the semi-filled 4f orbitals of these elements. Many methodologies have been employed to obtain luminescent matrixes, but the non-hydrolytic and hydrolytic sol-gel routs have offered the ideal conditions to obtain multicomponent materials with multifunctionalities and use in areas ranging from nanomedicine to technology. In this context, it is possible to introduce lanthanide ions into inert inorganic matrixes, to obtain materials with low toxicity and high luminescence. These features are desirable for the application of these materials as biological markers and drug carriers in nanomedicine. Methods: This work has used the modified hydrolytic sol-gel route to prepare YVO 4 doped with Eu 3+ ions at Eu 3+ percentages varying from 5 to 10%. The samples were heat-treated at 800 ⁰C for 4 h; the nanoparticles were functionalized with the alkoxide 3-chloropropyltrimethoxysilane by the sol-gel process. Results and Conclusion: The final product was characterized by infrared vibrational spectroscopy (IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and photoluminescence (PL). These techniques showed that the samples retained their structure and luminescent properties after functionalization with the alkoxide.