Hydrothermal synthesis of lanthanide orthovanadate: EuVO4 particles and their fluorescence application

Abstract

Lanthanide orthovanadate erythrocyte-like EuVO₄ particles were obtained via a facile, environmentally friendly hydrothermal process and were demonstrated to have an affinity for histidine (His) and the common protein BSA. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy indicated an interaction between EuVO₄ and His, as well as BSA. Due to its unique structure, the anionic group (VO₄³⁻) served to directly combine with His or BSA, while the cation (Eu³⁺) was used as a stable fluorescent monitor. The traditional technically-demanding lanthanide particle surface functionalization can be neglected for the first time, which greatly simplified the preparation of lanthanide particles. Based on the affinity of EuVO₄ and proteins, the interaction between EuVO₄ and member proteins in vitro had been confirmed by confocal microscopy, which might find potential application in fluorescent monitors.