Upconversion, MRI imaging and optical trapping studies of silver nanoparticle decorated multifunctional NaGdF4:Yb,Er nanocomposite

Abstract

The multifunctional upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) are fascinating tool for biological applications. In the present work, photon upconverting NaGdF₄:Yb,Er and Ag nanoparticles decorated NaGdF₄:Yb,Er (NaGdF₄:Yb,Er@Ag) nanoparticles were prepared using a simple polyol process. Rietveld refinement was performed for detailed crystal structural and phase fraction analysis. The morphology of the NaGdF₄:Yb,Er@Ag was examined using high-resolution transmission electron microscope, which reveals silver nanoparticles of 8 nm in size were decorated over spherical shaped NaGdF₄:Yb,Er nanoparticles with a mean particle size of 90 nm. The chemical compositions were confirmed by EDAX and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry analyses. The upconversion luminescence (UCL) of NaGdF₄:Yb,Er at 980 nm excitation showed an intense red emission. After incorporating the silver nanoparticles, the UCL intensity decreased due to weak scattering and surface plasmon resonance effect. The VSM magnetic measurement indicates both the UCNPs possess paramagnetic behaviour. The NaGdF₄:Yb,Er@Ag showed computed tomography imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging study exhibited better T1 weighted relaxivity in the NaGdF₄:Yb,Er than the commercial Gd-DOTA. For the first time, the optical trapping was successfully demonstrated for the upconversion NaGdF₄:Yb,Er nanoparticle at near-infrared 980 nm light using an optical tweezer setup. The optically trapped UCNP possessing paramagnetic property exhibited a good optical trapping stiffness. The UCL of trapped single UCNP is recorded to explore the effect of the silver nanoparticles. The multifunctional properties for the NaGdF₄:Yb,Er@Ag nanoparticle are demonstrated.

Keywords: CT/MRI imaging; NaGdF4; multifunctional; optical tweezers; upconversion.