Synthesis, photophysical analysis, and in vitro cytotoxicity assessment of the multifunctional (magnetic and luminescent) core@shell nanomaterial based on lanthanide-doped orthovanadates

Authors:

• Agata Maria Szczeszak,
• Anna Ewa Ekner-Grzyb,
• Marcin Runowski,
• Lucyna Mrówczyńska,
• Tomasz Grzyb,
• Stefan Lis

Abstract

Rare earths orthovanadates (REVO₄) doped with luminescent lanthanide ions (Ln³⁺) play an important role as promising light-emitting materials. Gadolinium orthovanadate exhibits strong absorption of ultraviolet radiation and as a matrix doped with Eu³⁺ ions is well known for its efficient and intense red emission, induced by energy transfer from the VO₄³⁻ groups to Eu³⁺ ions. In the presented study, Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@GdVO₄:Eu³⁺ 5 % nanomaterial was investigated. The core@shell structures demonstrate attractive properties, such as higher thermal stability, enhanced water solubility, increased optical response, higher luminescence, longer decay times, and magnetic properties. Silica coating may protect nanocrystals from the surrounding environment. Therefore, such silica-covered nanoparticles (NPs) are successfully utilized in biomedical research. Multifunctional magnetic nanophosphors are very interesting due to their potential biomedical applications such as magnetic resonance imaging, hyperthermic treatment, and drug delivery. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate photophysical, chemical, and biological properties of multifunctional REVO₄ doped with Ln³⁺. Moreover, the studied NPs did not affect erythrocyte sedimentation rate, cell membrane permeability, and morphology of human red blood cells.