The luminescence properties of CaF2 nanoparticles with various sizes (20–140 nm) are studied upon the excitation by VUV and x-ray quanta in order to reveal the influence of ratio of mean free path and thermalization length of charge carriers and nanoparticle size on the self-trapped exciton luminescence. The luminescence intensity for exciting quantum energies corresponding to optical creation of exciton and to the range of electronic excitation multiplication is not so sensitive to nanoparticle size as for quanta with energy of Eg < hν < 2Eg. The dependences of luminescence intensity on nanoparticle size at the excitation by quanta of various energies are discussed in terms of electron-phonon and electron-electron scattering lengths and energy losses on surface defects.

Ruthenium anticancer drugs belong to the most promising non-platinum anticancer metal compounds in clinical evaluation. However, although the clinical results are promising regarding both activity and very low adverse effects, the clinical application is currently hampered by the limited solubility and stability of the drug in aqueous solution. Here, we present a new nanoparticle formulation based on polymer-based micelles loaded with the anticancer lead ruthenium compound KP1019. Nanoprepared KP1019 was characterised by enhanced stability in aqueous solutions. Moreover, the nanoparticle formulation facilitated cellular accumulation of KP1019 (determined by ICP-MS measurements) resulting in significantly lowered IC50 values. With regard to the mode of action, increased cell cycle arrest in G2/M phase (PI-staining), DNA damage (Comet assay) as well as enhanced levels of apoptotic cell death (caspase 7 and PARP cleavage) were found in HCT116 cells treated with the new nanoformulation of KP1019. Summarizing, we present for the first time evidence that nanoformulation is a feasible strategy for improving the stability as well as activity of experimental anticancer ruthenium compounds.

Nanopowders of LaPO4 have been grown by sedimentation-micellar method. As-prepared LaPO4 nanoparticles with the average grain size of about 8 nm have a single-phase hydrated hexagonal structure. After thermal annealing at 600 and 800 °C, the average size of nanoparticles increases up to ∼35 and ∼50 nm, respectively, and the structure transforms into single-phase monoclinic. IR spectra of LaPO4 nanoparticles of different size were investigated in the wide range of wavenumbers from 130 to 5000 cm−1 in the 20–300 K temperature region. Differences between IR spectra of the bulk material and nanoparticles as well as the temperature behavior of the vibrational properties are discussed.

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The study of the spectral-luminescence parameters of LaPO 4-Eu and LaPO 4-Pr nanoparticles upon excitation by the synchrotron radiation with photon energies 4-40 eV was performed. The differences of the luminescence intensity dependence on the size for LaPO 4-Eu and LaPO 4-Pr nanoparticles excited at the range of matrix transparency, the range of band-to-band transitions, and the range of electronic excitation multiplication were revealed. The observed regularities are explained in terms of the electron-phonon and electron-electron scattering, surface losses, and exciton diffusion. The ratio between the length of thermalization and electron mean free path and the size of nanoparticle is determinative for the luminescence intensity upon excitation in the range of fundamental absorption of matrix and X-ray excitation. V