Photo-driven upconversion in NaYF4:Yb,Er@chitosane particles for cancer cells bioimaging

Abstract

Lanthanide doped up-converting nanoparticles (UCNPs) have significant role in biomedical field, especially in cell imaging and target drug delivery, due to their convenient luminescent properties. For that purpose UCNPs should have the specific morphological and luminescent characteristics. In this study the biocompatible NaYF4:Yb,Er@Chitosane particles were synthesized through one-step hydrothermal synthesis. Obtained particles were characterized in detail using X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, field emission scanning and transmission electron microscopy (FESEM and TEM) and photoluminesce measurement (PL). Structural refinement data show the presence of cubic (Fm-3m) phase in spherical shaped nanoparticles size up to 200 nm, while the FTIR analysis revealed the presence of chitosan on the particle surface which have no influence on the luminescence efficiency of the UCNPs. Cytotoxicity as well as cell labeling capability of synthesized UCNPs were tested in vitro on the human gingival fibroblasts (HGF) and head and neck squamous carcinoma cells (HNSCC). The results show excellent biocompatibility against HGF, and successful in- vitro visualization of HNSCC cell cultures upon 980 nm laser irradiation.