A highly prospective drug for the X-ray induced photodynamic therapy (PDTX), LuAG:Pr3+@SiO2-PpIX nanocomposite, was successfully prepared by a three step process: photo-induced precipitation of the Lu3Al5O12:Pr3+(LuAG:Pr3+) core, sol-gel technique for amorphous silica coating, and a biofunctionalization by attaching the protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) molecules. The synthesis procedure provides three-layer nanocomposite with uniform shells covering an intensely luminescent core. Room temperature radioluminescence (RT RL) spectra as well as photoluminescence (RT PL) steady-state and time resolved spectra of the material confirm the non-radiative energy transfer from the core Pr3+ions to the PpIX outer layer. First, excitation of Pr3+ions results in the red luminescence of PpIX. Second, the decay measurements exhibit clear evidence of mentioned non-radiative energy transfer (ET). The singlet oxygen generation in the system was demonstrated by the 3'-(p-aminophenyl) fluorescein (APF) chemical probe sensitive to the singlet oxygen presence. The RT PL spectra of an X-ray irradiated material with the APF probe manifest the formation of singlet oxygen due to which enhanced luminescence around 530 nm is observed. Quenching studies, using NaN3as an1O2inhibitor, also confirm the presence of1O2in the system and rule out the parasitic reaction with OH radicals. To summarize, presented features of LuAG:Pr3+@SiO2-PpIX nanocomposite indicate its considerable potential for PDTX application.

Department of Nuclear Chemistry Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering Czech Technical University Prague Břehová 7 Prague 115 19 Czech Republic

Department of Optical Materials Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences Cukrovarnická 10 Prague 162 53 Czech Republic

Institute of Inorganic Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences Husinec Řež 1001 Řež 250 68 Czech Republic

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