Covalent Linking of Near-Infrared Luminescent Ternary Lanthanide (Er3+, Nd3+, Yb3+) Complexes on Functionalized Mesoporous MCM-41 and SBA-15

Physicochemical Characterization of Europium-Doped Hydroxyapatite Thin Films with Antifungal Activity

Owing to its unique biological and physicochemical properties, hydroxyapatite (HAp) represents one of the most extensively studied biomaterials for biomedical applications. It is well known that Candida is currently one of the fungi frequently involved in the onset and development of post-implant infections and, owing to the appearance of antifungal resistance, it is quite difficult to treat despite all the tremendous efforts made in this regard by the scientific world. Therefore, in this context, we report for the first time in this paper, the development and characterization of europium-doped thin films (5EuHAp, xEu = 0.05) on a Si substrate by a spin-coating method. The results of ultrasound (US), zeta (ζ) potential, X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) studies are presented. The XRD studies conducted on 5EuHAp suspension revealed the nanometric dimensions of the particles and sample purity. In addition, a moderate stability of the 5EuHAp suspension was observed. XPS measurements revealed the presence of Eu 3d in the 5EuHAp thin films. In the SEM micrographs, the surface uniformity and the absence of the surface defects could be observed. Moreover, the results of the FTIR studies showed the presence of the vibrational bands specific to the HAp structure in the studied sample. The antifungal activity of the HAp and 5EuHAp suspensions and coatings was evaluated using the Candida albicans ATCC 10231 (C. albicans) fungal strain. The qualitative assays of the antifungal properties of HAp and 5EuHAp coatings were also visualized by SEM and CLSM. The antifungal studies revealed that both 5EuHAp suspensions and coatings exhibited noticeable antifungal activity against C. albicans cells.

A composite nanosensing array with two response channels for trinitrobenzoic acid optical test

In this paper, the authors reported a composite platform for the optical sensing of 2,4,6-trinitrobenzoic acid (TBA). This composite sensing platform consisted of luminescent rare earth MOF and a rhodamine-derived sensing probe. Its composite structure was confirmed by means of XRD, IR, TGA and photophysical measurement. It was found that there were two emission components in this sensing platform, which were rhodamine emission component and Eu(III) emission component, respectively. The rhodamine emission was enhanced with increasing TBA concentration, while the Eu(III) emission component was quenched by increasing TBA concentration, showing self-calibrated sensing signals for ratiometric fluorescent sensing. In addition, rhodamine absorption in visible region was increased with increasing TBA concentration, showing colorimetric sensing. The above mentioned two sensing channels both showed high selectivity and linear response towards TBA with LOD of 2.4 μM. By comparing emission lifetime under various TBA concentrations, the sensing mechanism was convinced as the combination of rhodamine emission turn on effect initiated by TBA -released protons and Eu(III) emission turn off effect caused by an ET (energy transfer) procedure from EuBTC to TBA. This sensing platform showed naked eye sensing and two sensing channels with linear response and high selectivity.

Luminescent thermometer based on Eu3+ /Tb3+ -organic-functionalized mesoporous silica

In this work we investigate a mesoporous silica (MS) decorated with dipyridyl-pyridazine (dppz) ligands and further grafted with a mixture of Eu³⁺ /Tb³⁺ ions (28.45%:71.55%), which was investigated as a potential thermometer in the 10-360 K temperature range. The MS material was prepared employing a hetero Diels-Alder reaction: 3,6-di(2-pyridyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazine was reacted with the double bonds of vinyl-silica (vSilica) followed by an oxidation procedure. We explore using the dppz-vSilica material to obtain visible emitting luminescent materials and for obtaining a luminescent thermometer when grafted with Eu³⁺ /Tb³⁺ ions. For the dppz-vSilica@Eu,Tb material absolute sensitivity S_a of 0.011 K^-1 (210 K) and relative sensitivity S_r of 1.32 %K^-1 (260 K) were calculated showing good sensing capability of the material. Upon temperature change from 10 K to 360 K the emission color of the material changed gradually from yellow to red.

Temperature dependent NIR emitting lanthanide-PMO/silica hybrid materials

A mesoporous silica and a periodic mesoporous organosilica functionalized with dipyridyl-pyridazine were grafted with Nd³⁺, Er³⁺, and Yb³⁺ complexes to obtain hybrid NIR emitting materials.

Cation-Exchange Porosity Tuning in a Dynamic 4d-4f-3d Framework for Ni(II) Ion-Selective Luminescent Probe

A heterometallic complex {[Yb2(L)6Cd2][Cd(H2O)6]·6H2O}n (Yb-Cd) (H2L = oxidiacetic acid) was synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. In Yb-Cd, each L chelates to one Yb(3+) center and bonds to two Cd(2+) ions in an anti-anti configuration. Yb and Cd atoms are arrayed alternatively and connected by O-C-O bridges to form a cubic octahedral cage as the secondary building unit. Consequently, topological NaCl nets with high symmetry in the cubic space group Fd-3c have been constructed. The [Cd(H2O)6](2+) moieties lying in the porosity of anionic metal-organic framework (MOF) act as the thermodynamically stable species, required to balance the two negative charges of [Yb2(L)6Cd2](2-) in Yb-Cd. Interestingly, when Yb-Cd was employed as a precursor and emerged in the aqueous solution of Mn(ClO4)2·6H2O or Zn(ClO4)2·6H2O, a reversible single-crystal-to-single-crystal transformation process driven by [Cd(H2O)6](2+) cations has been exhibited to generate the heterotrimetallic coordination polymer {[Yb2(L)6Cd2][Mn(H2O)6]·6H2O}n (Yb-Cd-Mn) or {[Yb2(L)6Cd2][Zn(H2O)6]·6H2O}n (Yb-Cd-Zn). To the best of out knowledge, Yb-Cd-Mn and Yb-Cd-Zn are the first examples representing 4d-4f-3d polymers based on multicarboxylic acid. Luminescent studies reveal that Yb-Cd-Zn may serve as a good candidate of Ni(2+) a luminescent probe. To our knowledge, Yb-Cd-Zn represent the fist example of the 4d-4f-3d framework to exhibit luminescent selectivity for Ni(2+).

Polyacrylamide modified mesoporous SBA-16 hybrids encapsulated with a lanthanide (Eu3+/Tb3+) complex

Novel polymeric mesoporous luminescent hybrids have been synthesized by linking the binary and ternary Ln³⁺ complexes to polyacrylamide-functionalized mesoporous SBA-16 in situ. The excellent luminescent properties of these materials together with the highly ordered mesoporous structure will expand their applications in optical or electronic areas.

Slow magnetic relaxation and photoluminescent properties of a highly coordinated erbium(iii) complex with dibenzoylmethane and 2,2′-bipyridine

The luminescence and magnetic properties of a bifunctional highly coordinated Er(iii) β-diketonate complex are presented, together with its synthesis and structure.

Synthesis and characterization of novel luminescent europium(iii) hybrid materials with a host based on titania–mesoporous silica or alumina–mesoporous silica

We achieved an assembly of a Eu complex covalently bonded to different mesoporous silica (MCM-41 and SBA 15) and two different metallic alkoxides (Ti–O and Al–O). The effect of the different matrices on the luminescence behavior was investigated.

Lanthanide complex-incorporated periodic mesoporous organosilica nanospheres with tunable photoluminescence

Functional DPA (N,N-bis(trimethoxysilylpropyl)-2,6-pyridine dicarboxamide) can be successfully incorporated into mesoporous silica frameworks of regular spherical morphology to accommodate photoluminescent rare-earth metal centres.

Fluorescent silica nanoparticles modified chemically with terbium complexes as potential bioimaging probes: their fluorescence and colloidal properties in water

Highly fluorescent silica nanoparticles were synthesized using silylated terbium complexes, which were prepared easily through formation of a Schiff base.

Multifunctional nanomesoporous materials with upconversion (in vivo) and downconversion (in vitro) luminescence imaging based on mesoporous capping UCNPs and linking lanthanide complexes

A series of new multifunctional nanomesoporous materials based on upconversion nanophosphors NaYF4:Yb,Tm@NaGdF4 (UCNPs) and lanthanide complexes were designed and synthesized through mesoporous capping UCNPs nanophosphors and linking lanthanide (Ln) complexes. The obtained UCNPs@mSiO2-Ln(dbm)4 (Ln = Eu, Sm, Er, Nd, Yb) materials can achieve downconversion and upconversion luminescence to show multicolor emission (covering the spectral region from 450 nm to 1700 nm) under visible-light excitation and 980 nm excitation, respectively. In addition, low cytotoxicity and good biocompatibility was found as determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay, and the nanomesoporous materials were successfully applied to cell imaging in vitro based on Eu(3+) luminescence (under 405 nm excitation) and small animal imaging based on Tm(3+) luminescence (under 980 nm excitation). The doped Gd(3+) ion endows the nanomesoporous materials UCNPs@mSiO2-Ln(dbm)4 with effective T1 signal enhancement, which affords them as potential magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. Therefore, our results may provide more exciting opportunities for multimodal bioimaging and multifunctional applications.

Semiconducting polymer encapsulated mesoporous silica particles with conjugated Europium complexes: toward enhanced luminescence under aqueous conditions

Immobilization of lanthanide organic complexes in meso-organized hybrid materials for luminescence applications have attracted immense interest due to the possibility of controlled segregation at the nanoscopic level for novel optical properties. Aimed at enhancing the luminescence intensity and stability of the hybrid materials in aqueous media, we developed polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) stabilized, semiconducting polymer (poly(9-vinylcarbazole), PVK) encapsulated mesoporous silica hybrid particles grafted with Europium(III) complexes. Monosilylated β-diketonate ligands (1-(2-naphthoyl)-3,3,3-trifluoroacetonate, NTA) were first co-condensed in the mesoporous silica particles as pendent groups for bridging and anchoring the lanthanide complexes, resulting in particles with an mean diameter of ∼ 450 nm and a bimodal pore size distribution centered at 3.5 and 5.3 nm. PVK was encapsulated on the resulted particles by a solvent-induced surface precipitation process, in order to seal the mesopores and protect Europium ions from luminescence quenching by producing a hydrophobic environment. The obtained polymer encapsulated MSN-EuLC@PVK-PVP particles exhibit significantly higher intrinsic quantum yield (Φ(Ln) = 39%) and longer lifetime (τ(obs) = 0.51 ms), as compared with those without polymer encapsulation. Most importantly, a high luminescence stability was realized when MSN-EuLC@PVK-PVP particles were dispersed in various aqueous media, showing no noticeable quenching effect. The beneficial features and positive attributes of both mesoporous silica and semiconducting polymers as lanthanide-complex host were merged in a single hybrid carrier, opening up the possibility of using these hybrid luminescent materials under complex aqueous conditions such as biological/physiological environments.

Hybrid polymer thin films with a lanthanide–zeolite A host–guest system: coordination bonding assembly and photo-integration

Three tricolor luminous materials based on novel transparent hybrid films of polymer–lanthanide–zeolite A were assembled. The white light emission from the tricolor luminous materials can be tuned easily by adjusting the different concentrations of the doped ions and the excitation wavelength.

Effect of pore sizes on catalytic activities of arenetricarbonyl metal complexes constructed within Zr-based MOFs

Arenetricarbonyl metal complexes ([-phM(CO)3-] and [-biphM(CO)3-]; ph = phenylene, biph = biphenylene, M = Mo, Cr) constructed within Zr-based MOFs act as highly active and selective catalysts for epoxidation of cyclooctene. Catalytic activities of these complexes are enhanced with increasing the pore sizes of Zr-based MOFs.

Electrospinning preparation and photoluminescence properties of erbium complex doped composite fibers

In this paper, an Er(III) complex of Er(DBM)3IPD, where DBM=1,3-diphenyl-propane-1,3-dione and IPD=4-(1H-imidazo[4,5-f][1,10]phenanthrolin-2-yl)-N,N-diphenylaniline, is synthesized and doped into poly(vinylpyrrolidone) submicron fibers through electrospinning technique. The crystal structure and morphology are investigated in detail. The composite fibers exhibit smooth and uniform morphology on the substrate, with an average diameter of ∼1.4 μm. Photophysical data suggest that DBM ligand sensitizes Er(III) center efficiently and provides an optimal condition for radiative decay, and low temperature can enhance the emission intensity by suppressing the quenching effect. It is found that the photostability of Er(III) complex doped composite fibers is largely improved compared with that of pure complex.

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.