Synthesis, Characterization and Biodistribution of GdF3:Tb3+@RB Nanocomposites

Abstract

Herein we report the development of a nanocomposite for X-ray-induced photodynamic therapy (X-PDT) and computed tomography (CT) based on PEG-capped GdF3:Tb3+ scintillating nanoparticles conjugated with Rose Bengal photosensitizer via electrostatic interactions. Scintillating GdF3:Tb3+ nanoparticles were synthesized by a facile and cost-effective wet chemical precipitation method. All synthesized nanoparticles had an elongated “spindle-like” clustered morphology with an orthorhombic structure. The structure, particle size, and morphology were determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis. The presence of a polyethylene glycol (PEG) coating and Rose Bengal conjugates was proved by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), and ultraviolet–visible (UV-vis) analysis. Upon X-ray irradiation of the colloidal PEG-capped GdF3:Tb3+–Rose Bengal nanocomposite solution, an efficient fluorescent resonant energy transfer between scintillating nanoparticles and Rose Bengal was detected. The biodistribution of the synthesized nanoparticles in mice after intravenous administration was studied by in vivo CT imaging.

Current Developments in Emerging Lanthanide‐Doped Persistent Luminescent Scintillators and Their Applications

“…Owing to the deep penetration of X‐rays in tissue, lanthanide‐doped nanocrystal scintillators are promising for biomedical imaging applications [9–11] . Besides, lanthanide‐doped scintillators hold great promise for many other applications, such as photodynamic therapy (PDT), [12–14] flexible X‐ray detectors, [15–19] information storage, [20–22] anti‐counterfeiting [23,24] and X‐ray imaging [25–27]…”

“…Owing to the deep penetration of X-rays in tissue, lanthanidedoped nanocrystal scintillators are promising for biomedical imaging applications. [9][10][11] Besides, lanthanide-doped scintillators hold great promise for many other applications, such as photodynamic therapy (PDT), [12][13][14] flexible X-ray detectors, [15][16][17][18][19] information storage, [20][21][22] anti-counterfeiting [23,24] and X-ray imaging. [25][26][27] Persistent luminescence (PersL), also known as afterglow or long-lasting phosphorescence, is an optical phenomenon in which luminescent materials are able to continue emitting light for a long time (ranging from seconds to days) after the cessation of external excitation source.…”

Catalytic nanotechnology of X-ray photodynamics for cancer treatments

“…It is for this reason that RT has become a powerful therapeutic methodology for cancer treatments. [49][50][51][52] Thus, X-ray-induced photodynamic therapy (X-PDT) combines the advantages of X-rays and PDT to improve the treatment efficacy with low doses of X-rays and deep penetration. When PSs absorb the X-ray photons with energy between a few hundred keV and a few MeV, the corresponding holes are created due to the escape of electrons, which are then filled with electrons from higher orbitals, releasing X-ray fluorescence.…”

Solvothermal synthesis of rhombic shape GdF₃:Tb³⁺ nanoparticles for biomedical applications

“…Кроме того, наночастицы GdF 3 можно использовать в МРТ благодаря их парамагнитным свой ствам. При облучении как УФ-излучением, так и рентгеновскими лучами наночастицы GdF 3 , легированные Tb 3+ , обладают сильной зеленой эмиссией с максимумом при 545 нм и менее интенсивными сателлитными пиками при ~ 490, 585 и 620 нм из-за электронных переходов из возбужденного состояния 5 D 4 в 7 F J (J = 6-3) основных состояний иона Tb 3+ [6].…”

“…Наночастицы трифторида гадолиния были получены несколькими способами синтеза, в том числе соосаждением [7], гидротермальным синтезом [6], сольвотермальным синтезом [8], микроволновым синтезом [10]. Например, Чжан и др.…”