title: Multicolored and white-light phosphors based on doped GdF3 nanoparticles and their potential bio-applications.
abstract: Rare-earth-doped gadolinium fluoride nanocrystals were synthesized by a single step synthesis employing ethylene glycol as solvent. Based on X-ray diffraction studies, stabilization of hexagonal modification of GdF(3) has been inferred. The microscopic studies show formation of uniformly distributed nanocrystals (~15 nm). The nanoparticles are readily dispersible in water and show bright luminescence in colloidal solution. The luminescence properties have been investigated as a function of activator concentrations, and enhanced optical properties have been attributed to efficient energy transfer from the Gd(3+) to the activator RE(3+) ions, which has further been confirmed by steady-state and time-resolved optical studies. It has been demonstrated that on doping appropriate amount of activators in host GdF(3), a novel white-light-emitting phosphor is obtained with CIE co-ordinates and correlated color temperature (CCT) very close to broad daylight. This can have promising applications as phosphor for white-light ultraviolet-light-emitting diodes (UV-LEDs). Our experiments showed efficient labeling of human breast carcinoma cells (MCF-7) by Tb(3+)-doped GdF(3) nanoparticles. The fluorescence intensity was found to be dependent on the surface modifying/coating agent, and the results were validated using confocal microscopy in terms of localization of these functionalized nanoparticles.
authors: Chemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400 085, India.
authors: Farheen N
authors: FN
authors: Sayed
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Grover
authors: V
authors: V
authors: Sudarsan
authors: B N
authors: BN
authors: Pandey
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Asthana
authors: R K
authors: RK
authors: Vatsa
authors: A K
authors: AK
authors: Tyagi
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis; D002460:Cell Line; D005459:Fluorides / Q000737:chemistry*; D005682:Gadolinium / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D049449:Luminescence; D049408:Luminescent Agents / Q000737:chemistry*; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000737:chemistry*; D014961:X-Ray Diffraction
chemical_list: D049408:Luminescent Agents; D010758:Phosphorus; D005682:Gadolinium; D005459:Fluorides