A luminescent and mesoporous core-shell structured Gd2O3 : Eu(3+)@nSiO2@mSiO2 nanocomposite as a drug carrier

In this paper, Gd(2)O(3) : Eu(3+) nanospheres have been encapsulated with nonporous silica and further layer of ordered mesoporous silica through a simple sol-gel process. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), N(2) adsorption/desorption, photoluminescence (PL) spectra, and kinetic decay were used to characterize the sample. The results indicate that the nanocomposite with general 50 nm shell thickness and 270 nm core size shows typical ordered mesoporous characteristics (2.4 nm) and has spherical morphology with a smooth surface and narrow size distribution. Additionally, the obtained inorganic nanocomposite shows the characteristic emission of Eu(3+) ((5)D(0)→(7)F(1-4)) even after the loading of drug molecules. The biocompatibility test on L929 fibroblast cells using MTT assay reveals low cytotoxicity of the system. Most importantly, the nanocomposite can be used as an effective drug delivery carrier. A typical anticancer drug, doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX), was used for drug loading, and the DOX release, cytotoxicity, uptake behavior and therapeutic effects were examined. It was found that DOX is shuttled into the cell by the nanocomposite and released inside cells after endocytosis and that the DOX-loaded nanocomposite exhibited greater cytotoxicity than free DOX. These results indicate that core-shell structured Gd(2)O(3) : Eu(3+)@nSiO(2)@mSiO(2) nanocomposite has potential for drug loading and delivery into cancer cells to induce cell death.     

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.     

Electrospinning preparation and drug delivery properties of Eu/Tb doped mesoporous bioactive glass nanofibers

Luminescent Eu³⁺/Tb³⁺ doped mesoporous bioactive glass nanofibers (MBGNFs) with average diameter of 100-120 nm were fabricated by electrospinning method. Pluronic P123 and N-cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) were used as co-surfactants to generate porous structure of the nanofibers. N₂ adsorption-desorption measurement reveals that the MBGNF:Eu³⁺ have a surface area of 188 m² g⁻¹, a pore volume of 0.246 cm³ g⁻¹ and average pore size of 4.17 nm, and the MBGNF:Tb³⁺ have a surface area of 171 m² g⁻¹, a pore volume of 0.186 cm³ g⁻¹ and average pore size of 3.65 nm. Photoluminescence measurements reveal that the MBGNF:Eu³⁺ show strong red emission dominated by the ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺ at 614 nm with a lifetime of 1.356 ms, and MBGNF:Tb³⁺ show strong green emission dominated by the ⁵D₄ → ⁷F₅ transition of Tb³⁺ at 544 nm with a lifetime of 1.982 ms. The biocompatibility tests on L929 fibroblast cells using MTT assay reveal low cytotoxicity of MBGNF. These luminescent nanofibers show sustained release properties for ibuprofen (IBU) in vitro. The emission intensities of Eu³⁺ in the drug delivery system vary with the released amount of IBU, thus making the drug release be easily tracked and monitored by the change of the luminescence intensity.     

Luminescent lanthanide (Eu3+, Tb3+) hybrids with 4-vinylbenzeneboronic acid functionalized Si-O bridges and beta-diketones

4-Vinylphenylboronic acid ligand (VPBA) is functionalized with two crosslinking reagents (3-(triethoxysilyl)-propylisocyanate [TEPIC] and 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate [TMPMA]) to achieve the two special molecular bridge VPBA-TEPIC and VPBA-TMPMA. Meanwhile, beta-diketone ligands (2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone [TTA], acetyl acetone [ACAC]) as the second ligands play the role of the main energy donor, which absorb abundant energy in ultraviolet-visible extent and then transfer the energy to the corresponding lanthanide ions (Eu(3+), Tb(3+)) to sensitize their emission of them. Eight binary and ternary Eu(3+), Tb(3+) hybrids with VPBA-TEPIC (VPBA-TMPMA) and TTA (ACAC) have been constructed, whose photoluminescence properties are studied in depth and suggest that the ternary hybrids show the favorable characteristic luminescent properties (longer lifetime and higher quantum efficiency).     

Luminescence of RE~(3+) and energy transfer from Gd~(3+) to RE~(3+) (RE = Dy, Eu) in SrGdAlO_4:RE~(3+)

Spectral properties of Gd3+, Dy3+ and Eu3+ ions in SrGdAlO4 are reported in detail. A cooperative vibronic transition of Gd3+ and the emission from the higher 5DJ (J=1, 2, 3) levels of Eu3+ were observed. Energy transfer occurs from Gd3+ to Dy3+ and to Eu3+. The influence of Gd3+ and Dy3+ concentrations on the luminescence intensity is discussed.     

3-Diethylaminopropyl-bearing glycol chitosan as a protein drug carrier

Polysaccharidic nanogels were fabricated with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and a glycol chitosan (GCS) grafted with functional 3-diethylaminopropyl (DEAP) groups. These nanogels were investigated to evaluate their cellular uptake in HeLa cells and in vivo fate in nude mice tumor model. Unlike free BSA, GCS-g-DEAP/BSA nanogels improved cellular uptake of BSA. Furthermore, this system led to an enhanced blood circulation and a high accumulation of BSA in the tumor site. Our collective results strongly support that GCS-g-DEAP/BSA nanogel is a potential carrier system for high molecular weight proteins.     

Cocktails of Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) complexes: a general platform for the design of ratiometric optical probes

Fluorescent and luminescent reporters that signal molecular events of interest by modulating the ratio of peaks in their emission profile have advantages over reporters that simply modulate their emission intensity, since ratiometric measurement is concentration-independent and allows them to be effective in complex contexts, such as living cells or sensor microarrays. We herein describe a general platform for the design of ratiometric probes based on a heterometallic Tb(3+)/Eu(3+) bis-lanthanide ensemble, consisting of a mixture, or "cocktail", of otherwise identical heterometalated chelates. The chelate contains an organic photon antenna that sensitizes the Tb(3+)/Eu(3+) luminescence. The contributions of the two metals to the composite luminescence spectrum can be tuned to the same relative scale by adjusting the stoichiometry of the cocktail, allowing subtle changes in their ratio to be accurately measured. Importantly, the ratio responds to chemical and environmental changes experienced by the photon antenna, making the system an ideal platform for the design of chemical and enzymatic probes. As proofs of concept, we describe a ratiometric probe for esterase activity and a polarity-responsive ratiometric sensor.     

MgWO_4:Nd~(3+)的水热合成及近红外发光性能研究

采用水热法制备MgWO_4:Nd~(3+)近红外发光材料.通过XRD,SEM和发光光谱等手段对样品的物相、形貌、发光性质进行表征.XRD测试结果表明:水热法制备MgWO_4:Nd~(3+)在850℃以上煅烧时,四方晶系转变为单斜晶系;1050℃煅烧后,sEM显示样品形貌由片状变为棒状且分散良好;激发和发射光谱的对比研究表明,MgWO_4:Nd~(3+)中WO_4~(2-)对Nd~(3+)存在有效的能量传递.研究了Nd~(3+)的掺杂量、煅烧温度、煅烧时间对材料近红外发光的影响.结果表明:在1050℃煅烧时,Nd~(3+)掺杂量为0.5%时发光最强;随着煅烧温度的升高,MgWO_4:Nd~(3+)的近红外发光强度先增强后减弱,而煅烧时间对发光强度影响很小.     

Synthesis,Crystal Structure and Luminescent Property of an Eu~(3+) Complex

A new Eu(Ⅲ) complex, {[Eu(tta)2(C2H5OH)(NO3)]2(bmp)}·bmp(tta = 2-thenoyltrifluoro- acetonate, bmp = 2,2'-bipyrimidine), has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, luminescence and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The complex crystallizes in the monoclinic P21/n space group, with a = 11.894(6), b = 14.235(8), c = 19.078(10) , β = 103.423(9)o, V = 3142(3) 3, Z = 2, Mr = 1721.10, Dc = 1.819 g/cm3, F(000) = 1696, the final R = 0.0452 and wR = 0.1398 for 5375 observed reflections with I 2σ(I). In the complex, each Eu(Ⅲ) ion is coordinated with four oxygen atoms from two tta ligands and two nitrogen atoms from a bmp ligand, three oxygen atoms from one NO3- anion and one ethanol molecule, forming a distorted tricapped trigonal prism geometry. Luminescence measurement indicates that the europium complex is a strong red emitter in the solid state at room temperature.     

Highly Luminescent and Thermally Stable Lanthanide Coordination Polymers Designed from 4-(Dipyridin-2-yl)aminobenzoate: Efficient Energy Transfer from Tb(3+) to Eu(3+) in a Mixed Lanthanide Coordination Compound

Herein, a new aromatic carboxylate ligand, namely, 4-(dipyridin-2-yl)aminobenzoic acid (HL), has been designed and employed for the construction of a series of lanthanide complexes (Eu(3+) = 1, Tb(3+) = 2, and Gd(3+) = 3). Complexes of 1 and 2 were structurally authenticated by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and were found to exist as infinite 1D coordination polymers with the general formulas {[Eu(L)(3)(H(2)O)(2)]}(n) (1) and {[Tb(L)(3)(H(2)O)].(H(2)O)}(n) (2). Both compounds crystallize in monoclinic space group C2/c. The photophysical properties demonstrated that the developed 4-(dipyridin-2-yl)aminobenzoate ligand is well suited for the sensitization of Tb(3+) emission (Φ(overall) = 64%) thanks to the favorable position of the triplet state ((3)ππ*) of the ligand [the energy difference between the triplet state of the ligand and the excited state of Tb(3+) (ΔE) = (3)ππ* - (5)D(4) = 3197 cm(-1)], as investigated in the Gd(3+) complex. On the other hand, the corresponding Eu(3+) complex shows weak luminescence efficiency (Φ(overall) = 7%) due to poor matching of the triplet state of the ligand with that of the emissive excited states of the metal ion (ΔE = (3)ππ* - (5)D(0) = 6447 cm(-1)). Furthermore, in the present work, a mixed lanthanide system featuring Eu(3+) and Tb(3+) ions with the general formula {[Eu(0.5)Tb(0.5)(L)(3)(H(2)O)(2)]}(n) (4) was also synthesized, and the luminescent properties were evaluated and compared with those of the analogous single-lanthanide-ion systems (1 and 2). The lifetime measurements for 4 strongly support the premise that efficient energy transfer occurs between Tb(3+) and Eu(3+) in a mixed lanthanide system (η = 86%).     

Highly luminescent Eu(3+) and Tb(3+) macrocyclic complexes bearing an appended phenanthroline chromophore

A two-component ligand system (1) containing 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7-triacetic acid (DO3A) as the hosting unit for the lanthanide cations and an appended asymmetrically functionalized 1,10-phenanthroline (phen) as the chromophore was synthesized. The 1:1 complexes with Eu(3+), Gd(3+), Tb(3+), and Yb(3+) have been prepared and studied in aqueous solution. For Gd.1, a relaxivity value of 2.4 mM(-1) s(-1) has been measured at 20 MHz and 25 degrees C, which indicates that there are no water molecules in the first coordination sphere of the metal ion. The analysis of high resolution (1)H NMR spectra of Yb.1 supports this view and suggests the direct involvement of the phen moiety in the coordination of the metal ion. For Eu.1 and Tb.1, the absorption and luminescence spectra, the overall luminescence efficiencies, and the metal-centered (MC) lifetimes were obtained; coordination features were also determined by comparing luminescence properties in water and deuterated water. For Eu.1 and Tb.1, the overall emission sensitization (se) process in air-equilibrated water was found to be notably effective with phi(se) = 0.21 and 0.11, respectively. A detailed study of the steps originating from light absorption at the phen unit and leading to MC sensitized emission was performed.     

Luminescent properties of Ba_3(PO_4)_2:Eu,Tb phosphors

Luminescence of europium (Ⅲ),europium(Ⅱ) and terbium(Ⅲ) has been observed in Bas(PO4)2:Eu,Tb phosphors which are synthesized in air atmosphere.The valence state of europium is influenced by amount of terbium.It is notable that the relative intensity of the emission spectra peaks corresponding to Eu2+ is increased if the amount of Tb3+ is increased.These phenomena can be explained by an electron transfer mechanism.We predict a new kind of two-rare-earth codoped trichromatic phosphors in Ba3(PO4)2 matrix.     

6-O-carboxymethyl-chitin (CM-chitin) as a drug carrier

Gel was prepared from 6-O-carboxymethyl-chitin (CM-chitin) by the addition of iron(III) chloride under mild conditions without any organic solvent. The optimal conditions for the gel formation were 15 to 30 mM iron(III) chloride and 0.5 to 0.8 degree of substitution in CM-chitin. The amounts of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and the anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) incorporated into CM-chitin gels were more than 80% and 30%, respectively under the conditions described above. The release of BSA or DOX from the gels was observed to be increased by lysozyme digestion in a time-dependent manner. This result indicates that CM-chitin might prove useful as a carrier gel for the sustained release of drugs and cytokines, including vaccines.     

CaMoO4∶Eu3+发光材料的制备和发光性质的研究

用共沉淀法与高温焙烧法制备了样品CaMoO4:Eu3+.TG-DTA谱图表明:800℃时,样品吸收的能量最大,即形成稳定的CaMoO4:Eu3+结构.用XRD谱图进一步分析表明:800℃时,样品CaMoO4:Eu3+已形成CaMoO4的白钨矿结构.由于2个Eu3+取代3个Ca2+,导致了晶体产生微小的晶体缺陷,从而形成具有p-n结的半导体.经过激发和发射谱图的测试发现:这种缺陷结构不但可以使Eu3+禁戒的4f电子发生跃迁,而且可以使MoO42-的能量高效地传递给Eu3+.尤其使与MoO42-的发射特征峰(488 nm)部分重叠的Eu3+(465 nm)的7F0→5D2电子跃迁得到了极大的加强,进而在λex=465 nm的发射谱图中,自激活荧光体MoO42-的发射强度被大大减弱甚至猝灭,而Eu3+的5D0→7F2(612 nm)跃迁的红光发光强度被大大增强,使该材料成为有潜在应用价值的发光材料.     

混合价态Eu(+2,+3)离子激活的单一组分发光材料:设计合成、发光性质及机理

作为绿色照明光源的典型代表,白光发光二极管(LED)被誉为21世纪的新一代照明光源。而作为白光LED重要组成部分的荧光粉,对其性能要求也不断被提升。Eu~(2+)和Eu~(3+)由于其电子结构上的差别导致其截然不同的发光性质。其中,Eu~(2+)的特征发射为4f–4f跃迁,而Eu~(3+)离子的特征发射为4f–5d跃迁。为了结合两者各自的发光特性,近年来对于混合价态Eu离子的研究成为热点。混合价态Eu离子掺杂荧光粉结合了Eu~(2+)和Eu3+离子各自的发光特点,具有颜色灵活可调的优良性质。本文主要从Eu~(2+)、Eu~(3+)各自性质出发,从不等价取代、晶场调控等三个方面综述了混合价态Eu(+2,+3)离子激活的单一基质发光材料近年来的研究进展。此外,对不同方法制备的混合价态Eu离子掺杂荧光粉的发光性能及发光机理也进行了归纳总结,为无机荧光材料的发展提供了新的思路。     

Self-assembled 3D architectures of LuBO3:Eu(3+): phase-selective synthesis, growth mechanism, and tunable luminescent properties

Rhombohedral-calcite and hexagonal-vaterite types of LuBO(3):Eu(3+) microparticles with various complex self-assembled 3D architectures have been prepared selectively by an efficient surfactant- and template-free hydrothermal process for the first time. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, photoluminescence, and cathodoluminescence spectra as well as kinetic decays were used to characterize the samples. The pH, temperature, concentration, solvent, and reaction time have a crucial influence on the phase formation, shape evolution, and microstructure. The reaction mechanism is considered as a dissolution/precipitation process; it is proposed that the self-assembly evolution occurs by homocentric layer-by-layer growth. Under UV excitation and low-voltage electron beam excitation, calcite-type LuBO(3):Eu(3+) particles show a strong orange emission corresponding to the (5)D(0)-->(7)F(1) transition of Eu(3+) whereas vaterite-type LuBO(3):Eu(3+) particles exhibit a strong red emission with much higher R/O values (that is, chromatically redder fluorescence than that of crystals grown from a direct solid-state reaction). The tunable luminescent properties have potential applications in fluorescent lamps and field emission displays.     

Ce3+激活的LiSrBO3材料发光特性及晶体学格位研究

采用固相法制备了蓝白色LiSrBO3∶Ce3+材料. 测得LiSrBO3∶Ce3+材料的发射光谱为一个主峰位于436 nm的非对称单峰宽谱; 监测436 nm发射峰时所得材料的激发光谱为一个主峰位于369 nm的宽谱. 利用Van Uitert公式计算了Ce3+取代LiSrBO3中Sr时所占晶体学格位, 得出433 nm发射带归属于九配位的Ce3+发射, 469 nm发射带起源于八配位的Ce3+发射. 研究了Ce3+浓度对LiSrBO3∶Ce3+材料发光强度的影响, 研究结果显示, 随着Ce3+浓度的增大, 发光强度呈现先增大后减小的趋势, 在Ce3+摩尔分数为3%时到达峰值, 根据Dexter理论, 其浓度猝灭机理为电偶极-偶极相互作用. 引入Li+, Na+和K+作为电荷补偿剂时发现, LiSrBO3∶Ce3+材料的发射光谱强度均得到了明显的增强. 利用InGaN管芯(370 nm)激发LiSrBO3∶Ce3+材料时, 获得了很好的蓝白光发射, 色坐标为(x=0.289, y=0.293).     

NaGdF_4:Eu~(3 )的结构和VUV荧光性质

利用水热方法合成了纯度较高的六方结构的 NaGdF4,在氧气存在条件下 950℃加热处理可以使其转变为 CaF2型立方结构。在真空紫外光激发下,六方结构的 NaGdF4∶ Eu3＋中的 Gd3＋离子吸收一个光子,并将能量分两步传递给 Eu3＋离子,发生双光子发射。立方结构的 NaGdF4∶ Eu3＋中存在有一定量的氧离子取代缺陷,使 Gd3＋离子 4f-5d跃迁移到 177nm附近,这与惰性气体放电产生的真空紫外光波长一致。     

Periodic mesoporous organosilicas with co-existence of diurea and sulfanilamide as an effective drug delivery carrier

In this article we report the synthesis of new periodic mesoporous organosilicas (PMOs) with the co-existence of diurea and sulfanilamide-bridged organosilica that are potentially useful for controlled drug release system. The materials possess hexagonal pores with a high degree of uniformity and show long-range order as confirmed by the measurements of small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), N₂ adsorption isotherms, and transmission electron microscopy(TEM). FT-IR and solid state ²⁹Si MAS and ¹³C CP MAS NMR spectroscopic analyses proved that the bridging groups in the framework are not cleaved and covalently attached in the walls of the PMOs. It was found that the organic functionality could be introduced in a maximum of 10 mol% with respect to the total silicon content and be thermally stable up to 230 °C. The synthesized materials were shown to be particularly suitable for adsorption and desorption of hydrophilic/hydrophobic drugs from a phosphate buffer solution at pH 7.4.