Synthesis of Poly(acrylic acid)-Functionalized La_1-<i>x</i>Eu_<i>x</i>F₃ Nanocrystals with High Photoluminescence for Cellular Imaging

Abstract

Monodisperse La1 −x EuxF3 nanoparticles (NPs) were functionalized by poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) via a one-pot modified hydrothermal method. The morphology, crystal structure, surface groups, and luminescence properties of the as-produced La1 −x EuxF3@PAA NPs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. The produced nanoparticles were (7 ± 3) nm in size, water soluble, and buffer stable, with good photostability and biocompatibility. In vitro imaging revealed the low cytotoxicity of the as-synthesized NPs incubated with HeLa cancer cells. Thus, the colloidal La1 −x EuxF3@PAA NPs exhibit great potential for use as optical imaging probes in biological applications.