Ultrasound-Assisted Synthesis and Characterization of Heparin-Coated Eu3+ Doped Hydroxyapatite Luminescent Nanoparticles

Herein, the heparin-coated Eu3+ doped hydroxyapatite luminescent nanoparticles were synthesized by an ultrasound- assisted coprecipitation method followed with steam sterilization at 121 degrees C. The effects of ultrasound treatment, steam sterilization, sodium heparin (SH) concentration and Eu doping content on the formation of heparin-coated Eu3+ doped hydroxyapatite nanoparticles (SH-Eu:nHAP) were investigated. The sterilized and suspended Eu-nHAP with improved luminescence and stability was simultaneously achieved in a process of about 2 h due to the combined effect of ultrasonic sonochemistry and stabilization function of SH. The obtained SH-Eu:nHAP suspension shows good stability in water and biological media. Moreover, the SH-Eu: nHAP shows no hemolysis and cytotoxicity, and can be ingested by cells and emit characteristic luminescence in cells. In summary, this study provides an improved method for the synthesis of SH-Eu: nHAP suspension that is helpful for promoting the application of rare earth doped nHAP as bioimaging agent.