In this paper, we report the synthesis of surface-engineered multifunctional Eu:GdO triangular nanoplates with small size and uniform shape via a high-temperature solvothermal technique. Surface engineering has been performed by a one-step polyacrylate coating, followed by controlled conjugation chemistry. This creates the desired number of surface functional groups that can be used to attach folic acid as a targeting ligand on the nanoparticle surface. To specifically deliver the drug molecules in the nucleus, the folate density on the nanoparticle surface has been kept low. We have also modified the drug molecules with terminal double bond and ester linkage for the easy conjugation of nanoparticles. The nanoparticle surface was further modified with free thiols to specifically attach the modified drug molecules with a pH-responsive feature. High drug loading has been encountered for both hydrophilic drug daunorubicin (∼69% loading) and hydrophobic drug curcumin (∼75% loading) with excellent pH-responsive drug release. These nanoparticles have also been used as imaging probes in fluorescence imaging. Some preliminary experiments to evaluate their application in magnetic resonance imaging have also been explored. A detailed fluorescence imaging study has confirmed the efficient delivery of drugs to the nuclei of cancer cells with a high cytotoxic effect. Synthesized surface-engineered nanomaterials having small hydrodynamic size, excellent colloidal stability, and high drug-loading capacity, along with targeted and pH-responsive delivery of dual drugs to the cancer cells, will be potential nanobiomaterials for various biomedical applications.

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A Multifunctional Nanocomposite of Magnetic -Fe 2O3 and Mesoporous Fluorescent ZnO. -The title nanocomposite is prepared by dispersing -Fe 2O3 and mesoporous ZnO in EtOH under sonication (250 W, 10 min) before mixing and refluxing (80 C, 4 h). Drug conjugation by ultrasonication and release characteristics of the title nanocomposite reveal that mesoporous ZnO takes up 86% of the anticancer drug daunorubicin hydrochloride within 60 min and that the -Fe 2O3 helps in separating the drug carrier from solution. Drug loading hereby is monitored by the change in adsorbance of the drug solution at 483 nm via a UV/vis spectrophotometer. Release of the drug with and without ultrasonic irradiation indicates that in both cases the amount is higher under acidic pH. The presence of a high saturation magnetization along with visible emission makes this composite an ideal multifunctional material for drug delivery studies. -(MAITI, D.; MUKHOPADHYAY, S.; CHANDRA MOHANTA, S.; SAHA, A.; SUJATHA DEVI*, P.; J. Alloys Compd. 653 (2015) 187-194, http://dx.