Selected-control fabrication of multifunctional fluorescent-magnetic core-shell and yolk-shell hybrid nanostructures

The selected-control preparation of uniform core-shell and yolk-shell architectures, which combine the multiple functions of a superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) core and europium-doped yttrium oxide (Y(2)O(3):Eu) shell in a single material with tunable fluorescence and magnetic properties, has been successfully achieved by controlling the heat-treatment conditions. Furthermore, the shell thickness and interior cavity of SPIO@Y(2)O(3):Eu core-shell and yolk-shell nanostructures can be precisely tuned. Importantly, as-prepared SPIO@Y(2)O(3):Eu yolk-shell nanocapsules (NCs) modified with amino groups as cancer-cell fluorescence imaging agents are also demonstrated. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the selected-control fabrication of uniform SPIO@Y(2)O(3):Eu core-shell nanoparticles and yolk-shell NCs. The combined magnetic manipulation and optical monitoring of magnetic-fluorescent SPIO@Y(2)O(3):Eu yolk-shell NCs will open up many exciting opportunities in dual imaging for targeted delivery and thermal therapy.