Nd3+ doped LuOF nanophosphors for bimodality imaging of NIR-to-NIR-II luminescence and X-Ray computed tomography

Abstract

In this paper, we have designed dual-mode imaging agents LuOF: Nd3+ NPs, which can provided bimodality imaging of NIR-to-NIR-II luminescence and X-Ray computed tomography. The as-prepared samples prepared by hydrothermal method possessed irregular paving stone shapes with size distribution of 10–15 nm. The structure analysis showed the samples were pure cubic phase. Under the excitation of 808 nm laser (power of 500mW/cm2), Lu0.99OF: 0.01Nd3+ NPs exhibited excellent NIR-II luminescence, which main peak located at 1053 nm and NIR emission intensity reached 3.0 × 105 cps. At the same time, the X-ray attenuation value was 100HU when the content of Lu0.99OF: 0.01Nd3+ NPs was only 10 mg/mL. And, the MTT arrays have confirmed the excellent biological safety of Lu0.99OF: 0.01Nd3+ NPs. Furthermore, the in vivo imaging results have confirmed that Lu0.99OF: 0.01Nd3+ NPs possessed not only NIR–II luminescent deep tissue in vivo imaging ability but also good computed tomography imaging ability. All these results indicated that LuOF: Nd3+ NPs can be regarded as dual-mode imaging agents in future medical field.