title: Functional near infrared-emitting Cr3+/Pr3+ co-doped zinc gallogermanate persistent luminescent nanoparticles with superlong afterglow for in vivo targeted bioimaging.
abstract: Near infrared (NIR)-emitting persistent luminescent nanoparticles (PLNPs) have great potential for in vivo bioimaging with the advantages of no need for in situ excitation, high signal-to-noise ratio, and deep tissue penetration. However, functional NIR-emitting PLNPs with long afterglow for long-term in vivo imaging are lacking. Here, we show the synthesis of NIR-emitting long-persistent luminescent nanoparticles (LPLNPs) Zn2.94Ga1.96Ge2O10:Cr(3+),Pr(3+) by a citrate sol-gel method in combination with a subsequent reducing atmosphere-free calcination. The persistent luminescence of the LPLNPs is significantly improved via codoping Pr(3+)/Cr(3+) and creating suitable Zn deficiency in zinc gallogermanate. The LPLNP powder exhibits bright NIR luminescence in the biological transparency window with a superlong afterglow time of over 15 days. A persistent energy transfer between host and Cr(3+) ion in the LPLNPs is observed and its mechanism is discussed. PEGylation greatly improves the biocompatibility and water solubility of the LPLNPs. Further bioconjugation with c(RGDyK) peptide makes the LPLNPs promising for long-term in vivo targeted tumor imaging with low toxicity.
authors.affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology (Nankai University), Synergetic Innovation Center of Chemical Science and Engineering (Tianjin), and Research Center for Analytical Sciences, College of Chemistry, and ‡College of Life Sciences, Nankai University , 94 Weijin Road, Tianjin 300071, China.
authors.forename: Abdukader
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abdukayum
authors.forename: Jia-Tong
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Qiang
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Xiu-Ping
authors.initials: XP
authors.lastname: Yan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002857:Chromium / Q000737:chemistry*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005708:Gallium / Q000737:chemistry*; D005857:Germanium / Q000737:chemistry*; D049408:Luminescent Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D051379:Mice; D053758:Nanoparticles; D009374:Neoplasms, Experimental / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000378:metabolism; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D011221:Praseodymium / Q000737:chemistry*; D014018:Tissue Distribution; D017967:Zinc Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D049408:Luminescent Agents; D017967:Zinc Compounds; D005857:Germanium; D002857:Chromium; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D005708:Gallium; D011221:Praseodymium