Nontoxic Tb3+-induced hyaluronic nano-poached egg aggregates for colorimetric and luminescent detection of Fe3+ ions

Abstract

This study demonstrates that a luminescent Tb³⁺ complex with green emission can be complexed with hyaluronic (hya) to form nanoparticles. The structure of complexation is composed of a Tb(acac)₂phen core with a hya surface, similar to those of the nano-poached eggs. What makes the structure unique is that Tb(acac)₂phen and hya are connected by chemical bonds. To confirm their utility, we illustrate that the luminescence is rapidly and selectively quenched in the presence of Fe³⁺. Initial cytotoxicity experiments with human liver carcinoma cells show that the luminescent lanthanide complexes are cytotoxic, however, complexing lanthanides to hya renders them cytocompatible. The new complex integrates the advantages of superior lanthanide luminescence, the unique shape of nano-poached eggs, compatibility with aqueous systems, and cytocompatibility. Tb³⁺-induced hyaluronic nano-poached eggs (THNE) can, therefore, be used for Fe³⁺ detection in aqueous systems.