Gadolinium oxide ultranarrow nanorods as multimodal contrast agents for optical and magnetic resonance imaging.
We demonstrate a simple synthetic strategy for the fabrication of single-phase rare earth (RE) doped gadolinium oxide (Gd(2)O(3):RE where RE = terbium (Tb), ytterbium (Yb), and erbium (Er)) nanorods (NRs) as multimodal imaging probes. The NRs are ultranarrow and exhibit both emission and magnetic characteristics. The Tb-doped and Yb/Er-codoped Gd(2)O(3) NRs exhibit down- and up-conversion fluorescence respectively, and also exhibit paramagnetism. Importantly, these codoped NRs possess excellent magnetic characteristics, as shown in their longitudinal relaxation time (T1) -weighted image contrast, which is closer to that of commercial Gadovist for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) applications. This property opens up new avenues in the development of contrast agents.
Division of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 62 Nanyang Drive, Singapore 637459.
Gautom Kumar
GK
Das
Boon Chin
BC
Heng
Sui-Choon
SC
Ng
Tim
T
White
Joachim Say Chye
JS
Loo
Loyola
L
D'Silva
Parasuraman
P
Padmanabhan
Kishore K
KK
Bhakoo
Subramanian Tamil
ST
Selvan
Timothy Thatt Yang
TT
Tan
D002460:Cell Line; D003287:Contrast Media; D005682:Gadolinium / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D043942:Nanotubes; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
D003287:Contrast Media; C030581:gadolinium oxide; D005682:Gadolinium