Functionalization of luminescent YVO4:Eu3+ nanoparticles by sol-gel

Over the last decades, researchers have explored nanotechnological applications in different areas. The non-hydrolytic and hydrolytic sol-gel routes offer the ideal conditions to obtain materials with distinct compositions and multifunctionality, for use in such diverse areas as nanomedicine and technology. In this work, we used the modified hydrolytic sol-gel route to prepare YVO4 doped with Eu3+ ion. The YVO4:Eu3+ nanoparticles were functionalized with 3-chloropropyltriethoxysilane using the hydrolytic sol-gel process; the drug cisplatin was then added to them. The final powder was characterized by thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and photoluminescence. The powder X-ray diffraction patterns of the samples obtained before and after functionalization revealed well defined peaks ascribed to the tetragonal structure of the YVO4 phase. The thermal analysis curves evidenced mass loss relative to 3-chloropropyltriethoxysilane and cisplatin decomposition. Infrared spectroscopy showed the peaks related to the CH and NH groups vibration modes, confirming YVO4 functionalization. The excitation and emission spectrum of the Eu3+ ion did not change upon its doping into the matrix functionalized with 3-chloropropyl and cisplatin. Cytotoxicity tests conducted on normal Chinese hamster (V79 cells) and murine melanoma (B16F10) cells attested that the matrix was not toxic.