Core–shell BaYbF5:Tm@BaGdF5:Yb,Tm nanocrystals for in vivo trimodal UCL/CT/MR imaging

Lanthanide-doped nanocrystals have been researched extensively and used for bioimaging because of their optical properties, magnetic properties and X-ray absorption. Core–shell-structured lanthanide-doped nanocrystals have been developed and characterized by TEM and XRD analysis. The nanocrystals are composed of BaYbF5:0.5% Tm as the core and BaGdF5:20% Yb, 0.5% Tm as the shell. Apart from characterization of the nanocrystals, evaluation of both their cytotoxicity via MTT assays and their long-term toxicity via histological analysis showed that their cytotoxicity was low, indicating the possibility of further in vivo imaging. This work combined the functions of trimodal imaging into one nanoplatform and then UCL, CT, and MR imaging with core–shell-structured nanocrystals were investigated both in vitro and in vivo. Taking into consideration its structural characteristics and trimodal imaging abilities, it is expected that the developed multifunctional nanoplatform may be potentially useful for diagnosing diseases at an early stage.