Synthesis of luminescent multifunctional nanomaterials based on fluorides and oxides doped with rare earths for Teranostic applications

Abstract

This work aims the preparation and of nanomaterials based on oxides and fluorides doped with different rare earth (RE) ions, which act both as optical markers and as energy converters for photosensitization of singlet oxygen molecules in biological systems. Bi-functional core-shell nanocomposites - luminescent and magnetic - based on Fe3O4@ RE2O3, Li(RE)F4 will be prepared aiming evaluating the materials' potential application for hyperthermia medical therapy, as well as biological markers. Since the main focus is application of these materials in biological systems, all matrices will be doped with rare earth ions that exhibit excitation and emission in a transparent biological window (650 - 950 nm, 1 - 1,35 ¼m, 1,5 - 1,8 ¼m), in the near infrared region. The RE doped ions will be selected according to the visible emission generated by the upconversion process under near infrared excitation (980 nm). Nanomaterials with different matrices will be codoped with Er3+, Tm3+,Nd3+,and Yb3+ ions. Two main material preparation approaches will be adopted: the development of RE doped RE2O3 and Li(RE)F4 based luminescent nanoparticles and Fe3O4@ RE2O3, Li(RE)F4 core-shell based materials, with RE= Y3+, Gd3+. The first stage of this project consists of the morphological, structural and optical studies of nanomaterials, as well as the study of magnetic properties for Fe3O4@ RE2O3, Li(RE)F4 core-shell systems. The second part of the project aims to evaluate the stability of the prepared nanomaterials in biological medium and the cytotoxicity studies of these materials, and their application as light converters in photodynamic therapy.