Synthesis, Cytotoxicity Assessment and Optical Properties Characterization of Colloidal GdPO₄:Mn²⁺, Eu³⁺ for High Sensitivity Luminescent Nanothermometers Operating in the Physiological Temperature Range

Abstract

Herein, a novel synthesis method of colloidal GdPO4:Mn2+,Eu3+ nanoparticles for luminescent nanothermometry is proposed. XRD, TEM, DLS, and zeta potential measurements confirmed the crystallographic purity and reproducible morphology of the obtained nanoparticles. The spectroscopic properties of GdPO4:Mn2+,Eu3+ with different amounts of Mn2+ and Eu3+ were analyzed in a physiological temperature range. It was found that GdPO4:1%Eu3+,10%Mn2+ nanoparticles revealed extraordinary performance for noncontact temperature sensing with relative sensitivity SR = 8.88%/°C at 32 °C. Furthermore, the biocompatibility and safety of GdPO4:15%Mn2+,1%Eu3+ was confirmed by cytotoxicity studies. These results indicated that colloidal GdPO4 doped with Mn2+ and Eu3+ is a very promising candidate as a luminescent nanothermometer for in vitro applications.

Keywords

• nanoparticles
• synthesis
• luminescent nanothermometers
• transition metals
• cytotoxicity
• optical properties