Nd3+ doped LuOF nanophosphors for bimodality imaging of NIR-to-NIR-II luminescence and X-Ray computed tomography

In this paper, we have designed dual-mode imaging agents LuOF: Nd3+ NPs, which can provided bimodality imaging of NIR-to-NIR-II luminescence and X-Ray computed tomography. The as-prepared samples prepared by hydrothermal method possessed irregular paving stone shapes with size distribution of 10-15 nm. The structure analysis showed the samples were pure cubic phase. Under the excitation of 808 nm laser (power of 500mW/cm2), Lu0.99OF: 0.01Nd(3+) NPs exhibited excellent NIR-II luminescence, which main peak located at 1053 nm and NIR emission intensity reached 3.0 x 105 cps. At the same time, the X-ray attenuation value was 100HU when the content of Lu0.99OF: 0.01Nd(3+) NPs was only 10 mg/mL. And, the MTT arrays have confirmed the excellent biological safety of Lu0.99OF: 0.01Nd(3+) NPs. Furthermore, the in vivo imaging results have confirmed that Lu0.99OF: 0.01Nd(3+) NPs possessed not only NIR-II luminescent deep tissue in vivo imaging ability but also good computed tomography imaging ability. All these results indicated that LuOF: Nd3+ NPs can be regarded as dualmode imaging agents in future medical field.