Simultaneous substitutions of Gd3+ and Dy3+ in β-Ca3(PO4)2 as a potential multifunctional bio-probe

• DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2017.02.013
• Publication Date: 2017-02-08T03:30:21Z
• Authors: Rugmani Meenambal; P. Nandha Kumar; Pavan Poojar; Sairam Geethanath; S. Kannan
• Keywords: Selected area diffraction

Abstract A series of Gd 3 + and Dy 3 + co-substituted β -Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 2 as a multifunctional bio-probe has been developed. Structural analysis revealed preferential occupancy of both Gd 3 + and Dy 3 + at Ca 2 + (1), Ca 2 + (2) and Ca 2 + (3) sites of β -Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 2 and ~ 4.20 mol.% has been determined as the substitution limit for co-substitutions with individual contribution being ~ 2.20 mol.%. The SAED diffraction pattern of powder samples coincides well with the XRD results. The UV–vis-NIR absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence of β -Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 2 are emphasized by the dual role of Gd 3 + and Dy 3 + ions. The dual substitutions exhibited paramagnetic characteristics with Ms of 1.08 emu g − 1 suitable for MRI contrast agents. Cell cytotoxicity assay demonstrates negligible toxicity and hence deliberates its safety in vivo applications. In vitro imaging analysis advocates the potential applicability of the developed multifunctional bio-probe in MRI, CT and optical imaging.