Pegylated Eu-enabled submicron alumina spheres as potential theranostics agent RD cell line as model

OBJECTIVES: This study is aimed to synthesis and evaluate PEGylated Eu enabled spherical alumina submicron particles (s-Al(2)O(3):Eu) for potential theranostic applications. METHODS: This study is bisected into two parts, a) synthesis of PEGylated Eu enabled spherical alumina submicron particles (s-Al(2)O(3):Eu), and b) characterization of the synthesized particles to determine their efficacy for potential theranostic applications. The synthesis of the particles involved the following steps. In the first step, s-Al(2)O(3):Eu is synthesized using solvothermal synthesis. In the next step, the particles undergo post synthesis water–ethanol treatment and calcination. The surface of the synthesized s-Al(2)O(3):Eu particles is then coated by PEG to increase its biocompatibility. Once the particles are prepared, they are characterized using different techniques. The microstructure, composition and structure of the particles is characterized using SEM, EDX and XRD techniques. The detection of the functional groups is done using FTIR analysis. The photoluminescence emission spectrum of s-Al(2)O(3):Eu is studied using Photoluminescence spectroscopy. And, finally, the biocompatibility is studied using MTT assay on RD cell lines. RESULTS: The microstructure analysis, from the micrographs obtained from SEM, shows that the spherical alumina particles have a submicron size with narrow size distribution. The compositional analysis, as per EDX, confirms the presence of Oxygen, Aluminum and Europium in the particles. While, XRD analysis of s-Al(2)O(3):Eu confirms the formation of alpha alumina phase after calcination at 700 °C. Emission peaks, obtained by Photoluminescence emission spectroscopy, show that the optimum emission intensities correspond to the transition from (5)D(0) to (7)F(j) orbital of Eu(+3). FTIR analysis confirms the successful coating of PEG. Finally, a cell viability of more than 86% is observed when the biocompatibility of the particles is studied, using MTT assay on RD cell lines. CONCLUSIONS: s-Al(2)O(3):Eu with narrow distribution are successfully synthesized. Structural and functional characterizations support the suitability of s-Al(2)O(3):Eu as potential theranostic agent.