Solvothermal Synthesis of LaF₃:Ce Nanoparticles for Use in Medicine: Luminescence, Morphology and Surface Properties

Abstract

A series of LaF3:Ce3+ phosphors for application in photodynamic therapy are synthesized using a one-stage solvothermal synthesis. The synthesis conditions; type and quantity of stabilizer; concentration of activator providing the maximum intensity of UV- and X-ray-excited luminescence; lowest size; and highest colloidal stability of the phosphor nanoparticles are found. As a result of this study, the following parameters are determined using cerium content 5% mol. ethanol as the reaction medium for the solvothermal synthesis and polyvinylpyrrolidone as the stabilizer at an optimized amount.

Keywords

• X-ray luminescence
• solvothermal synthesis
• LaF₃:Ce
• zeta-potential
• PEG
• PVP