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Hyperspectral Imaging as a Tool to Study Optical Anisotropy in Lanthanide-Based Molecular Single Crystals
Published on: April 14, 2020
Visible light sensitized attapulgite-based lanthanide composites: microstructure, photophysical behaviour and
1Key Laboratory of Nonferrous Metal Chemistry and Resources Utilization of Gansu Province, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000, PR China.
Dalton Transactions (Cambridge, England : 2003)
|October 25, 2011
Summary
Attapulgite serves as a stable carrier for luminescent europium complexes, enabling applications in cell imaging. These novel attapulgite-based lanthanide composites exhibit excellent photophysical properties and low cytotoxicity.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Attapulgite is a stable, naturally occurring fibrillar mineral.
- Lanthanide complexes offer unique luminescent properties.
- Developing stable, luminescent nanomaterials is crucial for advanced applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To covalently couple europium complexes onto modified attapulgites.
- To create novel attapulgite-based ternary europium complexes.
- To evaluate the potential of these composites for cell imaging.
Main Methods:
- Covalent coupling of europium complex Eu(DBM)3(H2O)2 onto modified attapulgites using aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) or aminopropylmethyldiethoxysilane (APMDES).
- Characterization using CHN elemental analysis, ICP-AES, XRD, TG, and UV-vis absorption spectra.
- Assessment of photophysical properties including excitation wavelength, luminescence lifetime, and quantum yield.
- Evaluation of cytotoxicity and cell imaging capabilities using HeLa cells.
Main Results:
- Successful covalent grafting of Eu(3+) complex onto attapulgite surfaces.
- Different grafting ratios observed with APTES and APMDES.
- Attapulgite-APTES-Europium complexes exhibit excitation from UV to visible light (max 398 nm), long luminescence lifetime (503 μs), and high quantum yield (48%).
- Fluorescence observed on HeLa cell membranes with low cytotoxicity.
Conclusions:
- Attapulgite is a viable and stable carrier for luminescent lanthanide complexes.
- The developed attapulgite-based europium composites possess excellent photophysical properties and stability.
- These materials show significant potential for applications in biological cell imaging.
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