Opportunities for Persistent Luminescent Nanoparticles in Luminescence Imaging of Biological Systems and Photodynamic Therapy

Abstract

The use of luminescence in biological systems allows us to diagnose diseases and understand cellular processes. Persistent luminescent materials have emerged as an attractive system for application in luminescence imaging of biological systems; the afterglow emission grants background-free luminescence imaging, there is no need for continuous excitation to avoid tissue and cell damage due to the continuous light exposure, and they also circumvent the depth penetration issue caused by excitation in the UV-Vis. This review aims to provide a background in luminescence imaging of biological systems, persistent luminescence, and synthetic methods for obtaining persistent luminescent materials, and discuss selected examples of recent literature on the applications of persistent luminescent materials in luminescence imaging of biological systems and photodynamic therapy. Finally, the challenges and future directions, pointing to the development of compounds capable of executing multiple functions and light in regions where tissues and cells have low absorption, will be discussed.

Об экспериментальном определении параметров интенсивности 4f-4f-переходов по спектрам излучения соединений европия (III)

“…Благодаря особенностям электронной структуры иона Eu 3+ спектры излучения соединений и материалов, содержащих этот ион, могут быть использованы для определения параметров интенсивности [10,12,15]. В то же время для иона Eu 2+ характерны разрешенные дипольные переходы 4 f −5d; он был применен, например, в материалах, которые демонстрируют явление длительной люминесценции с возможностью перестраивания цвета излучения за счет эффектов сильного поля лиганда [16][17][18]. Однако элек-тронные переходы Eu 3+ , а также большинства ионов Ln 3+ имеют 4 f −4 f -природу и, следовательно, являются запрещенными как электродипольные, с намного более низкими силами осцилляторов и более продолжительным временем жизни возбужденного состояния, что позволяет широкое использование ионов Ln 3+ : от нанотермометров до маркеров безопасности [19][20][21][22].…”

Photochromism and Persistent Luminescence in Ni-Doped ZnGa2O4 Transparent Glass-Ceramics: Toward Optical Memory Applications

“…[18][19][20][21][22] On the other hand, the elaboration of persistent phosphors targeting optical in vivo imaging widely revived the research in the field in the late 2000s. [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30] In view of optical in vivo imaging applications, the probe material must emit in one of the three partially transparent biological windows (BW), i.e. BW-I (620 -950 nm), BW-II (1000 -1350 nm) and BW-III (1500 -1800 nm), to be efficiently detected from outside the body.…”

“…Within the past 25 years, persistent phosphors have been brought to the research forefront after two major discoveries, leading to a wide spectral range of afterglow emission. First, the discovery of SrAl 2 O 4 :Eu 2+ ,Dy 3+ in 1996 has led to extensive research of visible persistent phosphors with suitable morphologies for night signalization, night vision display without providing energy. − On the other hand, the elaboration of persistent phosphors targeting optical in vivo imaging widely revived research in the field in the late 2000s. − In view of optical in vivo imaging applications, the probe material must emit in one of the three partially transparent biological windows (BW), i.e. , BW-I (620–950 nm), BW-II (1000–1350 nm), and BW-III (1500–1800 nm), to be efficiently detected from outside the body. − Due to lower light diffusion and lower tissue autofluorescence, optical imaging using persistent phosphors with emission in the short-wave infrared (SWIR) range, and therefore, in the BW-II and BW-III, has gained more interests recently.…”

Recent Developments in Lanthanide-Doped Alkaline Earth Aluminate Phosphors with Enhanced and Long-Persistent Luminescence

“…Particularly, the development of codoped SrAl 2 O 4 :Eu 2+ ,Dy 3+ (Dy: dysprosium) phosphors by Matsuzawa et al has received considerable attention for the replacement of traditional ZnS-based phosphors, owing to their improved afterglow intensities, lifetimes, and chemical stabilities compared to those of the previously synthesized phosphors [ 5 ]. The intense emission of rare-earth-based phosphor has led to extensive applications in light-emitting diode (LED) devices, thin-film electroluminescent (TFEL) devices, optoelectronic or cathodoluminescent devices, safety marks, radiation dosimetry, X-ray imaging, bioimaging, and photodynamic therapy [ 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 ]. In particular, their applications as LED devices can help in replacing argon-mercury discharge fluorescent lamps, which are extensively used for general lighting purposes.…”