TPAOH assisted size-tunable Gd₂O₃@mSi core-shell nanostructures for multifunctional biomedical applications

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Mesoporous silica-coated gadolinium oxide: europium (Gd@mSi) core-shell nanostructures offer potential for biomedical applications due to their unique optical and magnetic properties.
• Developing facile and scalable synthesis methods for these nanostructures is crucial for their translation into clinical use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a facile and large-scale synthesis of size-tunable and nontoxic mesoporous silica-coated Gd₂O₃:Eu³⁺ (Gd@mSi) core-shell nanostructures.
• To investigate the role of TPAOH in controlling particle size during synthesis.
• To evaluate the potential of these nanoparticles for cancer imaging and therapy, both before and after folic acid conjugation.

Main Methods:

• Synthesis of Gd@mSi core-shell nanostructures using a TPAOH assisted modified UHP technique.
• Evaluation of the role of TPAOH in controlling nanoparticle size.
• Folic acid conjugation to the synthesized nanoparticles.
• In vitro fluorescence microscopy of U2OS cell lines to assess cellular uptake and imaging capabilities.

Main Results:

• Successful facile and large-scale synthesis of size-tunable and nontoxic Gd@mSi core-shell nanostructures.
• Demonstrated control over particle size by adjusting TPAOH concentration.
• Established the potential of Gd@mSi nanoparticles for in vitro cancer cell imaging.
• Showcased enhanced cellular uptake and imaging of U2OS cells after folic acid conjugation.

Conclusions:

• The TPAOH assisted modified UHP technique provides a facile and scalable route for producing tunable, non-toxic Gd@mSi core-shell nanostructures.
• Folic acid conjugation enhances the targeting and imaging capabilities of these nanoparticles for cancer applications.
• Gd@mSi core-shell nanoparticles hold significant promise for future cancer imaging and therapeutic strategies.