Mesoporous silica-coated luminescent Eu3+ doped GdVO4 nanoparticles for multimodal imaging and drug delivery

Abstract

We describe a simple method for synthesizing mesoporous silica-coated luminescent europium-doped gadolinium vanadate (GdVO₄:Eu³⁺@mSiO₂) nanoparticles. Their biomedical applications as a potential imaging nanoprobe for both fluorescence imaging and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and as a simultaneous anti-cancer drug delivery vehicle are also discussed. Eu³⁺ doped GdVO₄ nanoparticles exhibit strong red photoluminescence and the Gd³⁺ in GdVO₄ can be used as a T₁ contrast agent for MRI. T₁-weighted MR contrast enhancement as well as sustained intracellular drug delivery can be achieved by the mesoporous silica layer coating onto a single nanoparticle. Enhanced T₁ MR contrast was proven by relaxometric studies on water access to the paramagnetic core. GdVO₄:Eu³⁺@mSiO₂ nanoparticles as a new type of theragnostic (imaging and treatment) agent can provide new opportunities in a cancer treatment.