Nd3+ ions in nanomedicine: Perspectives and applications

In this work we evaluate the impact that neodymium ions can have in modern nanomedicine when they are incorporated as optically active dopants in nanocrystals. In particular, we here discuss how the particular absorption and emission properties of this ion can be conveniently exploited for important biomedical applications, such as fluorescence imaging at both in vitro and in vivo level, non-contact nanothermometry and photothermal therapy. All these features can confer neodymium-doped nanoparticles a multifunctional character and so Nd3+ is also envisaged as a paradigm ion for nanoparticle based theranostic applications.