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

Publication date: 15 April 2017
Source:Materials & Design, Volume 120
Author(s): Rugmani Meenambal, P. Nandha Kumar, Pavan Poojar, Sairam Geethanath, S. Kannan
A series of Gd³⁺ and Dy³⁺ co-substituted β-Ca3(PO4)2 as a multifunctional bio-probe has been developed. Structural analysis revealed preferential occupancy of both Gd³⁺ and Dy³⁺ at Ca²⁺(1), Ca²⁺(2) and Ca²⁺(3) sites of β-Ca3(PO4)2 and ~4.20mol.% has been determined as the substitution limit for co-substitutions with individual contribution being ~2.20mol.%. The SAED diffraction pattern of powder samples coincides well with the XRD results. The UV–vis-NIR absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence of β-Ca3(PO4)2 are emphasized by the dual role of Gd³⁺ and Dy³⁺ ions. The dual substitutions exhibited paramagnetic characteristics with Ms of 1.08emug⁻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.

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