Porous YAG:Nd3+ Fibers with Excitation and Emission in the Human “NIR Optical Window” as Luminescent Drug Carriers

The design and preparation of luminescent drug carriers has been a prosperous area of research for many years. However, the excitation and/or emission wavelength of such luminescent drug carriers haven′t been optimized in the so‐called human “near infrared (NIR) optical window”, thus restricting their practical applications. Herein, we report the synthesis of electrospun porous YAG:Nd³⁺ (neodymium‐doped yttrium aluminum garnet) fibers with both excitation and emission in the “NIR optical window” as luminescent drug carriers. The YAG:Nd³⁺ porous fibers were characterized by SEM, TEM, XRD, scanning transmission electron microscopy–energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (STEM‐EDX), and photoluminescence (PL). Ibuprofen (IBU) was used as a model drug to evaluate the drug‐loading capacities and release profiles of the samples. BMSCs (bone mesenchymal stem cells) were used as model human cells to investigate cytotoxicity. Our results indicated that the YAG:Nd³⁺ fibers possessed a fine, irregularly porous fibrous morphology with an average diameter of 378 nm. The florescence of the sample (1064 nm) could be excited over a wide wavelength range in the NIR region. During the release process of IBU in simulated body fluid (SBF), along with the dissolving of the drug, the solvent entered into the pores, and the emission intensity of the YAG:Nd³⁺ fibers at 1064 nm decreased gradually, owing to a quenching effect of the hydroxy groups, thus provided an approach to track and monitor drug release. In addition, cytotoxicity investigations revealed that these YAG:Nd³⁺ fibers were biocompatible with human cells. Consequently, the porous YAG:Nd³⁺ fibers are a promising material for applications as advanced drug carriers.     

Preparation of luminescent and mesoporous Eu3+/Tb3+ doped calcium silicate microspheres as drug carriers via a template route

Luminescent and mesoporous Eu(3+)/Tb(3+) doped calcium silicate microspheres (LMCS) were synthesized by using mesoporous silica spheres as the templates. The LMCS and drug-loaded samples were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), N(2) adsorption/desorption, and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The results reveal that the LMCS have uniform spherical morphology with a diameter around 400 nm and the mesopore size of 6 nm. The prepared samples exhibit little cytotoxicity at concentrations below 5 mg mL(-1) via MTT assay. In addition, drug storage/release properties of the LMCS were demonstrated for ibuprofen (IBU). The obtained LMCS can be used to encapsulate drugs and release them. Under excitation by UV light, the IBU-loaded samples still show the characteristic (5)D(0)-(7)F(1-3) emission lines of Eu(3+) and the characteristic (5)D(4)-(7)F(3-6) emission lines of Tb(3+). The PL intensity of Eu(3+) in the drug carrier system increases with the cumulative released amount of IBU, making the drug release able to be tracked or monitored by the change of luminescence of Eu(3+). The LMCS reported here with mesoporous structure, good biocompatibility and luminescent property can be a promising drug delivery carrier.     

Photoluminescence and Raman studies of Sm3+ and Nd3+ ions in zirconia matrices: example of energy transfer and host-guest interactions

Photoluminescence and Raman studies on Sm(3+)- and Nd(3+)-doped zirconia are reported. The Raman studies indicate that the monoclinic (m) phase dominates up to a 10 at.% lanthanide level, while stabilization of the cubic phase is attained at approximately 20 and approximately 25 at.% of Sm(3+) and Nd(3+), respectively. Both systems are strongly luminescent under photo-excitation. The emission spectrum at 77 K of the ZrO(2):Sm(3+) system consists of a broad band at 505 nm, that corresponds to the zirconia matrix. At room temperature the band maximum blue-shifts to 490 nm. Sharper bands corresponding to f-f transitions within the Sm(3+)ion are also exhibited in the longer wavelength region of the spectrum. Exclusive excitation of the zirconia matrix provides sensitized emission from the acceptor Sm(3+) ion. The excitation profile is dominated by a broad band at 325 nm when monitored either at the zirconia or at one of the Sm(3+) emissions. A spectral overlap between the 6H(5/2)-->(4)G(7/2) absorption of the Sm(3+) ion with the zirconia emission leads to an efficient energy transfer process in the systems. Multiple facets of the spectral behavior of the Sm(3+) or Nd(3+) in the zirconia matrices, as well as the effects of compositions on the emission and Raman properties of the materials, and the role of defect centers in photoluminescence and the energy transfer processes are discussed.     

Highly resolved luminescence measurements for traces of 1,3-dibetanato europium(III) and terbium(III) complexes using a microscope laser Raman spectrometer toward the forensic discrimination.

The emission spectra of luminescent trivalent europium (Eu3+) and terbium (Tb3+) complexes were measured using a microscope laser Raman spectrometer with a doubled Nd:YAG laser (532 nm) and an Ar laser (488 nm). Excitation at 532 and 488 nm corresponded to wavelengths of the 7F1 --> 5D1 band of Eu3+ and the 7F6 --> 5D4 band of Tb3+, respectively. The Eu3+ and Tb3+ complexes were discriminated by high-resolution emission spectra more distinctly and sensitively than by fluorescence spectrometry, the usual analytical method.     

Yb3+ as an origin of the strong anti-Stokes luminescence in NIR FT-Raman spectra of some lanthanide sesquioxides

Strong anti-Stokes bands observed in FT-Raman spectra of Y2O3, Gd2O3 and Lu2O3 are explained by NIR luminescence of Yb3+ impurities present in sesquioxides after the excitation with the 1064 nm line of an Nd:YAG laser. Samples of Y2O3:Yb, Ga2O3:Yb, CeO2:Yb, Gd2O3:Yb and Lu2O3:Yb were prepared by solution combustion synthesis procedure using urea. All materials were investigated by FT-Raman and FT-NIR spectroscopy and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction.     

Luminescent porous silica fibers as drug carriers

Luminescent and porous silica fibers have been successfully prepared by using the electrospinning process. The obtained multifunctional silica fibers, which possess a porous structure and display blue luminescence, can serve as a drug delivery host carrier, using ibuprofen (IBU) as a model drug, allowing the investigation of storage/release properties. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), N(2) adsorption/desorption, photoluminescence (PL) spectra, and kinetic decay were used to characterize the structural, morphological, and optical properties of the as-obtained samples. The results reveal that the multifunctional silica materials exhibit an irregular porous structure, and display a fiberlike morphology with dimensions of several hundred nanometers in width and several millimeters in length. The obtained silica fibers exhibit an intense broad bluish emission, which might be attributed to impurities and/or defects in the silica fibers. The IBU-loaded silica fiber system shows blue luminescence under UV irradiation and controlled release behavior for IBU. In addition, the emission intensities of silica fibers in the drug carrier system vary with the released amount of IBU, thus allowing the drug release to be easily tracked and monitored by the change of the luminescence intensity.     

Study of laser ablation of brass materials using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometric detection

A XeCl laser and a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser operating at 1064, 532, 355 and 266 nm were used to ablate brass materials with varying concentrations of Zn and Cu. The ablated material was transported to an inductively coupled plasma for further atomization, excitation and ionization with an atomic emission spectrometric detection. A Zn enhancement was observed, which could be suppressed by using a Nd:YAG laser working at 266 nm with fluences higher than 400 J cm⁻² (equivalent to 80 GW cm⁻²). In contrast, a lack of linearity was observed for Cu as a function of the concentration, regardless of the wavelength and the fluence. The Cu problem seemed to occur during the ablation and was related to the structure of the brass material. Lack of linearity was also observed for Zn and other contained elements when samples from different origins were used.     

Normal Raman and surface enhanced Raman spectroscopic experiments with thin layer chromatography spots of essential amino acids using different laser excitation sources

A comparative study of the feasibility and efficiency of Raman spectroscopic detection of thin layer chromatography (TLC) spots of some weak Raman scatterers (essential amino acids, namely, glycine and L-forms of alanine, serine, valine, proline, hydroxyproline, and phenylalanine) was carried out using four different visible and near-infrared (NIR) laser radiations with wavelengths of 532, 633, 785, and 1064 nm. Three types of commercial TLC plates were tested and the possibility of inducing surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) by means of Ag-sol was also investigated. The spectra obtained from spotted analytes adsorbed on TLC plates were of very different quality strongly depending on the excitation wavelength, the wetness of the samples, and the compounds examined. The best results were obtained with the simple silica TLC plate, and it has been established that the longest wavelength (lowest energy) NIR excitation of a Nd:YAG laser is definitely more suitable for generating normal Raman scattering of analyte spots than any of the visible radiations. Concerning SERS with application of Ag-sol to the TLC spots, 1-3 orders of magnitude enhancement was observed with wet samples, the greatest with the 532 nm radiation and gradually smaller with the longer wavelength excitations. It is shown, however, that due to severe adsorption-induced spectral distortions and increased sensitivity to microscopic inhomogeneity of the sample, none of the SERS spectra obtained with the dispersive Raman microscope operating in the visible region were superior to the best NIR normal FT-Raman spectra, as far as sample identification is concerned.     

Fourier transform Raman spectroscopy: A comparison of Nd:YAG and lower-frequency sources

Fourier transform Raman instruments invariably incorporate Nd:YAG solid state lasers operating at 1064 nm. Recently, new lasers have appeared which are likely to be of appropriate power and linewidth for Raman spectroscopy and to be very economical. They emit at various wavelengths between the deep red and one micron wavelength. We have investigated whether sources in this domain are as satisfactory as Nd:YAG ones and conclude that where samples display even the slightest fluorescence with 1064 nm excitation this will be worse if shorter wavelength sources are used and unacceptably so if the source is of shorter wavelength than 900 nm. Thus as a routine analytical tool new improved sources are essential and many of the newer sources are unlikely to be satisfactory.     

Luminescent, mesoporous, and bioactive europium-doped calcium silicate (MCS: Eu3+) as a drug carrier

Luminescent, mesoporous, and bioactive europium-doped calcium silicate (MCS: Eu) was successfully synthesized. The obtained MCS: Eu(3+) was performed as a drug delivery carrier to investigate the drug storage/release properties using ibuprofen (IBU) as the model drug. The structural, morphological, textural, and optical properties were well characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N(2) adsorption/desorption, and photoluminescence (PL) spectra, respectively. The results reveal that the MCS: Eu exhibits the typical ordered characteristics of the mesostructure. This composite shows a sustained release profile with IBU as the model drug. The IBU-loaded samples still present red luminescence of Eu(3+) ((5)D(0)-(7)F(1,2)) under UV irradiation. The emission intensities of Eu(3+) in the drug carrier system vary with the amount of released IBU, making the drug release easily tracked and monitored. The system demonstrates a great potential for drug delivery and disease therapy.     

Enhanced laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy using the combination of fourth-harmonic and fundamental Nd:YAG laser pulses

We have studied the combination of fourth-harmonic (266 nm) and fundamental (1064 nm) Nd:YAG laser pulses of the same irradiance. On a metallic target (Al), a sequence of ultraviolet (UV) and near-infrared (NIR) pulses produces deeper craters and can lead under certain conditions to analyte signal enhancements larger than those obtained with a NIR–NIR sequence. Compared to a single NIR pulse, signal enhancements by factors of approximately 30 for the Si I 288.16-nm line and 100 for the Al II 281.62-nm line were observed with double pulses of the same total energy. This effect correlates with a substantial increase in plasma temperature, with ionic lines and lines having a higher excitation energy experiencing a larger enhancement. Moreover, the optimal pulse separation is found to be larger for ionic than for neutral lines (∼3 compared to ∼0.1 μs). Another finding of this study concerns the combination of two different wavelengths (266 and 1064 nm) in a single ‘mixed-wavelength’ pulse, a scheme that also leads to an enhanced laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) sensitivity. It is proposed that the double-pulse and mixed-wavelength approaches are both capable of temperature and signal enhancement for the same reason: a larger portion of laser energy is absorbed in the plasma region containing the analyte atoms, instead of being absorbed at the sample surface or in the atmosphere.     

Role of laser pre-pulse wavelength and inter-pulse delay on signal enhancement in collinear double-pulse laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Dual-pulse (DP) laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) provides significant improvement in signal intensity as compared to conventional single-pulse LIBS. We investigated collinear DPLIBS experimental performance using various laser wavelength combinations employing 1064 nm, 532 nm, and 266 nm Nd:YAG lasers. In particular, the role of the pre-pulse laser wavelength, inter-pulse delay times, and energies of the reheating pulses on LIBS sensitivity improvements is studied. Wavelengths of 1064 nm, 532 nm, and 266 nm pulses were used for generating pre-pulse plasma while 1064 nm pulse was used for reheating the pre-formed plasma generated by the pre-pulse. Significant emission intensity enhancement is noticed for all reheated plasma regardless of the pre-pulse excitation beam wavelength compared to single pulse LIBS. A dual peak in signal enhancement was observed for different inter-pulse delays, especially for 1064:1064 nm combinations, which is explained based on temperature measurement and shockwave expansion phenomenon. Our results also show that 266 nm:1064 nm combination provided maximum absolute signal intensity as compared to 1064 nm:1064 nm or 532 nm:1064 nm.     

Bulk analysis by IR laser ablation inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

Two laser ablation systems dedicated to bulk analysis were evaluated for steel and PVC samples, using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry detection. These systems were characterized by the use of a Nd:YAG laser operating at 1064 nm, the absence of observation device and a large laser spot size. The 1064 nm wavelength was selected to avoid the use of frequency-multiplying optics, and to be less critical to the sampling position. Calibration graphs and limits of detection are given for both types of materials. LODs were in the range 3–120 μg/g for steel, and in the range 0.07–15 μg/g for PVC. In the case of steel samples, similar calibration graph slopes were obtained between polished and unpolished samples.     

Bulk analysis by IR laser ablation inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry

Two laser ablation systems dedicated to bulk analysis were evaluated for steel and PVC samples, using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry detection. These systems were characterized by the use of a Nd:YAG laser operating at 1064 nm, the absence of observation device and a large laser spot size. The 1064 nm wavelength was selected to avoid the use of frequency-multiplying optics, and to be less critical to the sampling position. Calibration graphs and limits of detection are given for both types of materials. LODs were in the range 3-120 microg/g for steel, and in the range 0.07-15 microg/g for PVC. In the case of steel samples, similar calibration graph slopes were obtained between polished and unpolished samples.     

YVO4:Eu3+ functionalized porous silica submicrospheres as delivery carriers of doxorubicin

Porous silica microspheres were fabricated by a facile surface-protected etching strategy. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was used as a protecting polymer absorbed on the surface of silica microspheres and NaOH was employed as an etching agent. Owing to the protective action of PVP and inhomogeneous etching, mesopores were created in the silica microspheres. Then, based on the Pechini-type sol-gel and impregnating process, YVO(4):Eu(3+) nanocrystals were integrated into the channels to form highly luminescent YVO(4):Eu(3+)@SiO(2) composite microspheres. The biocompatibility tests on L929 fibroblast cells using MTT assay reveal low cytotoxicity of the system. Owing to the large interior space and electrostatic interaction, the porous microspheres show a relatively high loading capacity (438 mg DOX/YVO(4):Eu(3+)@SiO(2) g) and encapsulation efficiency (87.6%) for the anti-cancer drug doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX). The drug release behavior and cytotoxic effect against human cervical carcinoma cells (HeLa cells) of the DOX-loaded YVO(4):Eu(3+)@SiO(2) carriers were investigated in vitro. It was found that the carriers present a highly pH-dependent drug release behavior due to electrostatic interaction between the silica surface and DOX molecules. The drug release rate became greater at low pH owing to the increased electrostatic repulsion. The DOX-loaded carriers demonstrate a similar or even greater anti-cancer activity with respect to the free DOX against HeLa cells. Furthermore, the PL intensity of the microspheres shows correlation with the cumulative release of DOX. These results suggest that the composite can potentially act as a multifunctional drug carrier system with luminescent tagging and pH-controlled release properties.     

Bi3+掺杂对YVO4:Yb3+近红外发光的敏化作用

用主温固相法合成了Yb³⁺、Bi³⁺共掺的YVO₄,研究了Bi³⁺的掺入对YVO₄:Yb³⁺发光光谱的影响和近红外发光的敏化作用.X射线衍射图谱研究表明:掺入Yb³⁺、Bi³⁺之后,基质YVO₄的晶格结构没有发生明显变化.Bi³⁺的掺入不仅显著增强了样品中Yb³⁺的特征远红外发光强度,还使YVO₄:Yb³⁺激发光谱的范围红移,当Bi³⁺掺入的摩尔分数从0增加到0.05时,样品的最强激发峰位置从335nm红移至352 nm,激发光谱范围由300-360 nm扩宽至300-430 nm.优化的Bi³⁺掺入量为0.03.初步讨论了VO₄^3-,Bi³⁺Yb³⁺间的能量传递机理.结果表明Bi^3-的共掺使YVO₄:Yb³⁺样品对长波紫外光的响应性能大大改善,作为一种基于量子剪裁的光谱转换材料,可以更好地匹配太阳光的能量谱,有助于提高硅太阳能电池的光电转换效率.     

纳米晶LaAlO3掺Eu3+的复合沉淀法制备及发光性质

以NH₃·H₂O-NH₄HCO₃混合溶液为复合沉淀剂,制备了LaAlO₃:Eu³⁺纳米晶体.通过X射线衍射、扫描电镜和透射电镜对产物进行了表征,用荧光光度计测试了样品的三维荧光光谱、激发光谱和发射光谱.结果表明:前驱沉淀物经800℃焙烧处理2h,制备出球型形貌,颗粒分散性好、尺寸约为40nm的立方相LaAlO₃纳米晶.由三维荧光光谱确定了LaAlO₃:Eu³⁺的最佳监测波长和激发波长,在395nm波长光的激发下观察到纳米LaAlO₃中Eu³⁺的591nm(⁵D₀-⁷F₁)和613nm(⁵D₀-⁷F₂)特征发射谱,磁偶极跃迁⁵D₀-⁷F₁的发射峰强度要比电偶极跃迁⁵D₀-⁷F₂更强,而且这种趋势随着焙烧温度的升高明显增强,说明由该法制备的纳米LaAlO₃中Eu³⁺离子占据的位置具有高的对称性.     

YAG∶Ce体系中稀土离子掺杂对Ce3+的光谱性能的影响

采用高温固相法合成了一系列的(Y0.95Ln0.01Ce0.04)3Al5O12(简称YAG∶Ce,Ln), 系统地研究了此体系中的Ln3+对Ce3+的发光强度的影响. 结果表明, 在YAG∶Ce的体系中, La3+, Gd3+, Lu3+等光学透明离子的少量掺杂对Ce3+的发光强度的影响不大; 掺入少量的Pr3+, Sm3+, Tb3+, Dy3+, Ho3+, Er3+, Tm3+等稀土离子, 由于它们的能级与Ce3+的能级有交叠, 使它们之间存在着竞争吸收或能量转移, 对Ce3+的发光有较明显的变化, 其中, Pr3+和Sm3+的掺入使其在红光区有发射峰, 可以增加YAG∶Ce的红色成分以提高显色性; Nd3+, Eu3+和Yb3+对Ce3+的发光有严重的猝灭作用.     

Characterization and surface-enhanced Raman spectral probing of silver hydrosols prepared by two-wavelength laser ablation and fragmentation

A four step Ag foil laser ablation-Ag nanoparticle fragmentation procedure in ultrapure water was carried out both under argon and in air. Pulses of a high power Nd/YAG laser were used for laser ablation (1064 nm) and for the three step Ag hydrosol treatment in the absence of Ag foil in the sequence 1064-532-1064 nm. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and surface plasmon (SP) extinction spectra provide evidence of Ag nanoparticle fragmentation in the second and third step of the procedure carried out under argon. While polydispersity of Ag hydrosol increases in the second step, both the polydispersity and the mean size of the nanoparticles are reduced in the third step. Qualitative and quantitative surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)/surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) spectral probing of systems with Ag hydrosols and the selected adsorbates at 514.5 nm excitation shows that Ag hydrosols obtained in the second step of the preparation procedure carried out in air are the most suitable substrates for SERS/SERRS experiments performed at this excitation wavelength.     

Isoquinoline-based lanthanide complexes: bright NIR optical probes and efficient MRI agents

In the objective of developing ligands that simultaneously satisfy the requirements for MRI contrast agents and near-infrared emitting optical probes that are suitable for imaging, three isoquinoline-based polyaminocarboxylate ligands, L1, L2 and L3, have been synthesized and the corresponding Gd(3+), Nd(3+) and Yb(3+) complexes investigated. The specific challenge of the present work was to create NIR emitting agents which (i) have excitation wavelengths compatible with biological applications and (ii) are able to emit a sufficient number of photons to ensure sensitive NIR detection for microscopic imaging. Here we report the first observation of a NIR signal arising from a Ln(3+) complex in aqueous solution in a microscopy setup. The lanthanide complexes have high thermodynamic stability (log K(LnL) =17.7-18.7) and good selectivity for lanthanide ions versus the endogenous cations Zn(2+), Cu(2+), and Ca(2+) thus preventing transmetalation. A variable temperature and pressure (17)O NMR study combined with nuclear magnetic relaxation dispersion measurements yielded the microscopic parameters characterizing water exchange and rotation. Bishydration of the lanthanide cation in the complexes, an important advantage to obtain high relaxivity for the Gd(3+) chelates, has been demonstrated by (17)O chemical shifts for the Gd(3+) complexes and by luminescence lifetime measurements for the Yb(3+) analogues. The water exchange on the three Gd(3+) complexes is considerably faster (k(ex)(298) = (13.9-15.4) × 10(6) s(-1)) than on commercial Gd(3+)-based contrast agents and proceeds via a dissociative mechanism, as evidenced by the large positive activation volumes for GdL1 and GdL2 (+10.3 ± 0.9 and +10.6 ± 0.9 cm(3) mol(-1), respectively). The relaxivity of GdL1 is doubled at 40 MHz and 298 K in fetal bovine serum (r(1) = 16.1 vs 8.5 mM(-1) s(-1) in HEPES buffer), due to hydrophobic interactions between the chelate and serum proteins. The isoquinoline core allows for the optimization of the optical properties of the luminescent lanthanide complexes in comparison to the pyridinic analogues and provides significant shifts of the excitation energies toward lower values which therefore become more adapted for biological applications. L2 and L3 bear two methoxy substituents on the aromatic core in ortho and para positions, respectively, that further modulate their electronic structure. The Nd(3+) and Yb(3+) complexes of the ligand L3, which incorporates the p-dimethoxyisoquinoline moiety, can be excited up to 420 nm. This wavelength is shifted over 100 nm toward lower energy in comparison to the pyridine-based analogue. The luminescence quantum yields of the Nd(3+) (0.013-0.016%) and Yb(3+) chelates (0.028-0.040%) are in the range of the best nonhydrated complexes, despite the presence of two inner sphere water molecules. More importantly, the 980 nm NIR emission band of YbL3 was detected with a good sensitivity in a proof of concept microscopy experiment at a concentration of 10 μM in fetal bovine serum. Our results demonstrate that even bishydrated NIR lanthanide complexes can emit a sufficient number of photons to ensure sensitive detection in practical applications. In particular, these ligands containing an aromatic core with coordinating pyridine nitrogen can be easily modified to tune the optical properties of the NIR luminescent lanthanide complexes while retaining good complex stability and MRI characteristics for the Gd(3+) analogues. They constitute a highly versatile platform for the development of bimodal MR and optical imaging probes based on a simple mixture of Gd(3+) and Yb(3+)/Nd(3+) complexes using an identical chelator. Given the presence of two inner sphere water molecules, important for MRI applications of the corresponding Gd(3+) analogues, this result is particularly exciting and opens wide perspectives not only for NIR imaging based on Ln(3+) ions but also for the design of combined NIR optical and MRI probes.