Photoinduced toxicity of PrF<inf>3</inf> nanoparticles and luminescence nanothermometry based on Pr:LaF<inf>3</inf> nanoparticles of different size, shape, and structure

Abstract

© 2018 IEEE. Pr3+:LaF3 (CPr=1-30%) nanoparticles (NPs) demonstrate temperature sensing properties into the temperature range from -196 to 60°C. The relative sensitivities (Sr) of Pr3+:LaF3 (CPr=12%, 20%) spherical NPs (at 45°C) were 0.5 and 0.3% °C-1, respectively. Surprisingly It was found that Sr and temperature dependence of luminescent spectra of Pr3+:LaF3 nanoparticles strongly depend on shape, size and structure of NPs. We did not detect formation of superoxide and hydroxyl radical by PrF3 nanoparticles under CW laser irradiation. Finally, the mechanism of photoinduced toxicity can be related to local heating of cellular components by nanoparticles.