Luminescent particles that are sensitive to the slightest manifestations of the disease have appeared

Scientists have recently been studying various luminescent materials, in particular nanocrystalline ones

Inorganic phosphors based on compounds of rare earth elements are usually used for themNaYF4 bond, since the material itself practically does not reduce the luminescence of embedded ions.

Researchers from St Petersburg University, LAT University in Finland and Sirius University replaced yttrium (Y) ions with europium (Eu) and gadolinium (Gd) ions in the new work, and then studied how the size changednanoparticles and luminescent properties of the substance.

As a result, it turned out that the optimalthe concentration of europium in the compound is 30%, that is how much is needed to achieve the maximum brightness of the glow. But the intensity can be further increased: it is necessary to additionally replace a small amount of yttrium ions with gadolinium, while leaving the europium concentration unchanged. Despite the fact that gadolinium ions practically do not luminesce, they significantly increase the brightness of the luminescence of the resulting substance.

In order not to distort the proportions, the researchers used an autoclave, a chemical reactor that allows you toHeat substances under pressure above atmospheric pressure. 

We found that the addition of just one percent gadolinium increased the luminescence intensity by 2.5 times.In lanthanides, which include the three rare-earth materials used, the reduction of symmetry leads toto an increase in luminescent properties.

Research text

As a result of the work, the authors found that the replacement of yttrium ions with gadolinium and europium leads toto reduce the size of the synthesized particles, so the nanoparticles will be easier to use for medical purposes. 

The authors plan to use their development in photobiology and biomedicine. For example, as markers of various diseases for the study of biological tissues using fluorescence microscopy.

The new phosphor from scientists from St. Petersburg State University can carry out diagnostics using light and a magnetic field: it can be tuned to specific viruses, for example, cancer cells.

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