Fluorescent nanoparticles (NPs) such as KYb₂F₇:Tm³⁺ potential in biomedical applications due to their ability to absorb and emit within the biological window, where near infrared light is less attenuated by soft tissue. This results in less tissue damage and deeper tissue penetration making it a viable candidate in biological imaging. Another big factor in determining their ability to perform in a biological setting is the surface chemistry. Biocompatible coatings, including polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), pluronic and folic acid are commonly used because they pose several advantages such as ease of functionalization, better dispersion, and higher cellular uptake. To study the effects of the NP surface chemistry, KYb₂F₇:Tm³⁺ a solvothermal method using PEG, PVP, pluronic acid, and folic acid as a capping agent, followed by thorough optical characterizations. Optical changes were thoroughly studied and compared using absorption, emission, and quantum yield data. Cell viability was obtained by treating Rhesus Monkey Retinal Endothelial cells (RhREC) with KYb₂F₇:Tm³⁺ and counting viable cells following a 24 hour uptake period. The work presented will compare the optical properties and toxicity dependency on the surface chemistry on KYb₂F₇:Tm³⁺. The results will also indicate that KYb₂F₇:Tm₃₊ nanoparticles are viable candidates for various biomedical applications.

Date Published: 12 March 2015
PDF: 7 pages
Proc. SPIE 9339, Reporters, Markers, Dyes, Nanoparticles, and Molecular Probes for Biomedical Applications VII, 93390A (12 March 2015); doi: 10.1117/12.2079943

Published in SPIE Proceedings Vol. 9339:
Reporters, Markers, Dyes, Nanoparticles, and Molecular Probes for Biomedical Applications VII
Samuel Achilefu; Ramesh Raghavachari, Editor(s)