Title: Physical, antimicrobial and cytotoxic characterisation of LaF₃:Eu³⁺ ion doped nanocrystals

Authors: Sarla Puram; Kamla Rawat; Aakriti Tyagi; Anita Kamra Verma; H.B. Bohidar

Addresses: Special Centre for Nanosciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India ' Special Centre for Nanosciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India ' Nanobiotech Lab, Kirorimal College, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India ' Nanobiotech Lab, Kirorimal College, University of Delhi, Delhi 110007, India ' Special Centre for Nanosciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India; School of Physical Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi 110067, India

Abstract: We report synthesis of surfactant free LaF₃:Eu³⁺ [0% to 30% (w/w)] ion doped nanocrystals using a facile hydrothermal method. TEM and SEM revealed spherical nanoparticles. Nanocrystals with hexagonal structures (lattice parameters, a = 7.126 Å and c = 7.297 Å) were observed for samples with doping concentration beyond 10% (w/w). Anisotropic growth of nanorods ensued when doping was in excess of 15% (w/w). Both absorption band (at 397 nm) and photoluminescence emission (between 590-693 nm) showed red shift with increasing doping concentration. Bacteriocidal activity of LaF₃:Eu³⁺0% and 5% was assessed against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, E. coli DH5α and S. aureus, ATCC 13709 by agar disc assay. Significantly enhanced antibacterial activity was observed in the smallest size. The susceptibility of S. aureus was comparatively higher than E. coli. MTT assay performed on Ehrlich ascites carcinoma (EAC) cells indicated higher cytotoxicity at 2 µg/ml. Hence, the lanthanide-based nanomaterials exhibit antimicrobial and anti-cancer drug activities.

Keywords: LaF₃:Eu³⁺ doped nanoparticles; lanthanides; anisotropic nanocrystals; nanorods; quantum efficiency; photoluminescence; absorption; antimicrobial activity; hydrothermal method; nanostructures; XRD; nanotechnology; nanomaterials; lanthanum nitrate; sodium fluoride; europium nitrate hexahydrate; ammonia; anti-cancer drugs; cancer treatment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNP.2015.071756

International Journal of Nanoparticles, 2015 Vol.8 No.2, pp.184 - 200

Received: 07 Mar 2015
Accepted: 20 May 2015
Published online: 17 Sep 2015 *

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