Cytotoxicity and cell imaging potentials of submicron color-tunable yttria particles

Increased demand of environment protection encouraged scientists to design products and processes that minimize the use and generation of hazardous substances. This work presents comprehensive result of large-scale fabrication and investigation of red-to-green tunable submicron spherical yttria particles codoped with low concentrations of Eu(+3) and Tb(+3). The color emission of synthesized particles can be precisely tuned from red to green by simple variation of Tb/Eu ratio and excitation wavelength. The Tb/Eu-codoped Y(2)O(3) particles did not adversely affect the viability of L-929 fibroblastic cells at concentrations less than 62.5 ppm. Through internalization and wide distribution inside the cells, Tb/Eu codoped Y(2)O(3) particles with intense bright green or red fluorescence rendered cell imaging to be possible. The high brightness, excellent stability, low-toxicity, and imaging capability along with fine color-tunability of synthesized particles enable to find promising application in various areas.