title: Bimodal Imaging Using Neodymium Doped Gadolinium Fluoride Nanocrystals with Near-Infrared to Near-Infrared Downconversion Luminescence and Magnetic Resonance Properties.
abstract: Here we report the synthesis, characterization and application of a multifunctional surface functionalized GdF3:Nd3+nanophosphor that exhibits efficient near infrared (NIR) fluorescence as well as magnetic properties, which can be utilized for bimodal imaging in medical applications. The nanoparticles are small with an average size of 5 nm and form stable colloids that last for several weeks without settling, enabling the use for several biomedical and photonic applications. Their excellent NIR properties, such as nearly 11 % quantum yield of the 1064 nm emission, make them ideal contrast agents and biomarkers forin vitroandin vivoNIR optical bioimaging. The nanophosphors which were coated with poly(maleic anhydride- alt-1-octadicene) (PMAO) were implemented in cellular imaging and show no significant cellular toxicity for concentrations up to 200 μg ml-1. Furthermore, the incorporation of Gd into the nanocrystalline structure supplies exceptional magnetic properties, making them ideal for use as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents. The utility of these NIR emitting nanoparticles in infrared bioimaging and as contrast agent in magnetic resonance imaging was demonstrated by confocal imaging, magnetic resonance and tissue experiments.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States.
authors.forename: L Christopher
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Mimun
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States.
authors.forename: Gangadharan
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ajithkumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States.
authors.forename: Madhab
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pokhrel
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States.
authors.forename: Brian G
authors.initials: BG
authors.lastname: Yust
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States.
authors.forename: Zak G
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Elliott
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States.
authors.forename: Francisco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Pedraza
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States.
authors.forename: Ashish
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dhanale
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States.
authors.forename: Liang
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.affiliation: Research Imaging Institute, Barshop Institute and Department of Cellular & Structural Biology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio 7703 Floyd Curl Dr. # 209, San Antonio, TX 78229, United States.
authors.forename: Ai-Ling
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, 2220 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL 60208-3108, United States.
authors.forename: Vinayak P
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Dravid
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Texas at San Antonio, One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, Texas 78249, United States.
authors.forename: Dhiraj K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Sardar