Synthesis of porous GdF₃:Er³⁺,Yb³⁺-COOH core-shell structured bi-functional nanoparticles for drug delivery

The authors synthesised porous GdF₃:Er³⁺,Yb³⁺-COOH core-shell structured bi-functional nanoparticles through a one-step hydrothermal route during which ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid) was bound to the surface of the nanoparticles. It has high up-conversion emission intensity for monitoring the drug release process and magnetisation saturation value (10.2 emu/g) for drug targeting under foreign magnetic fields. Moreover, porous GdF₃:Er³⁺,Yb³⁺ as drug carriers with a high drug-loading efficiency. cis-Dichlorodiammineplatinum(II) (cisplatin, CDDP)-loaded GdF₃:Er³⁺,Yb³⁺ nanoparticles (GdF₃:Er³⁺,Yb³⁺-CDDP) were characterised by the Fourier transform infrared spectra, and CDDP was loaded in the form of electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonds. Compared with CDDP alone, GdF₃:Er³⁺,Yb³⁺-CDDP nanoparticles increase concentration of CDDP in the target site and enhance its anticancer efficiency. Therefore, the as-prepared GdF₃:Er³⁺,Yb³⁺-COOH nanoparticles allow simultaneous targeted drug delivery and monitoring as promising anti-cancer theranostic agents.