Core-Shell Upconversion Platform Based on an Amino-Functionalized ZIF‑8 with a Covalently Anchored Ruthenium Nitrosyl Complex for Controlled Release of Nitric Oxide in Biological Media
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Updated: Oct 31, 2026

Synthesis of Core-shell Lanthanide-doped Upconversion Nanocrystals for Cellular Applications
Published on: November 10, 2017
Victor B de Sousa1, Giovanna N S A O Rocha1, Dayane K D Do N Santos1
1Department of Fundamental Chemistry, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco 50740-560, Brazil.
Abstract:
The development of nitric oxide (NO) donor agents capable of controlled NO release upon light irradiation in the biological window is relevant for phototherapies. The cis-[Ru-(dc-bpy)2(SO3)-(NO)]+ complex (dc-bpy = 2,2'-dicarboxybipyridine) is synthesized and anchored onto a NaYF4:Yb,Tm@ZIF-8-NH2 nanoplatform. The isolated complex presents high stability under basic conditions (pH 9) and an absorption band in the visible region up to 405 nm. A core-shell platform of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) coated with ZIF-8 is synthesized and functionalized with amino groups (UCNP-ZIF-8-NH2). This material exhibits intense blue emission upon excitation by near-infrared (NIR) radiation at 980 nm within a biological window. After covalent anchoring, through amide bond between the amino groups of UCNP-ZIF-8-NH2 and the carboxylic acid groups of the RuNO complex, supported by Fourier transform spectrophotometry (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses, the UCNP-RuNO composite releases NO under 980 nm irradiation. NO release is controlled by irradiation time, showing an increase from ca. 0.095 to 1.015 μmol L-1 between 30 and 180 min. These UCNP-RuNO systems show in vitro cell viability up to ca. 12 μg mL-1. These results support their use as platforms for NO release under NIR light, with optimization achievable by varying concentration, formulation, excitation intensity, and UCNP composition.
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