One-pot synthesis of chitosan/LaF3:Eu3+ nanocrystals for bio-applications
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review
Author(s)
Detail(s)
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1527-1532 |
Journal / Publication | Nanotechnology |
Volume | 17 |
Issue number | 5 |
Online published | 16 Feb 2006 |
Publication status | Published - 14 Mar 2006 |
Externally published | Yes |
Link(s)
Abstract
Lanthanide-based nanocrystals have shown great potential to be used as luminescent materials but their biological applications have been limited because most of the nanocrystals synthesized so far are not water soluble or biocompatible. We report a very straightforward method to synthesize water soluble and biocompatible LaF3 nanocrystals doped with Eu3+ via facile co-precipitation with a natural biopolymer, chitosan. The nanocrystals are very fluorescent and have a small size of about 20 nm. Chitosan is found to cap the nanocrystals during the synthesis process, which renders them water soluble and biocompatible, and provides functional groups such as hydroxyl and amino groups for further attachment of biomolecules. The nanocrystals remain stable in aqueous solution with pH ranging from 2 to 7.4. The nanocrystals are very suitable for use in biological applications, for example, intracellular labelling or measurements, because they are very small in size. © 2006 IOP Publishing Ltd.
Citation Format(s)
One-pot synthesis of chitosan/LaF3:Eu3+ nanocrystals for bio-applications . / Wang, Feng; Zhang, Yong; Fan, Xianping et al.
In: Nanotechnology, Vol. 17, No. 5, 14.03.2006, p. 1527-1532.
In: Nanotechnology, Vol. 17, No. 5, 14.03.2006, p. 1527-1532.
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review