Nonblinking and nonbleaching upconverting nanoparticles as an optical imaging nanoprobe and T1 magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent

Abstract

Core/shell upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) of NaGdF(4):Er(3+), Yb(3+)/NaGdF(4) (see figure) are shown to serve as a multimodal imaging probe that works for both background-free optical imaging and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The nonblinking and nonbleaching properties of UCNPs can contribute to minimization of possible artifacts in long-term imaging experiments. Owing to Gd(3+) ions in the host matrix, contrast is enhanced in T(1)-weighted MRI.