Water-Soluble Up-Conversion Nanoparticles via One-Pot Hydrolytic Synthesis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fluorescent labelling agents, such as organic dyes, fluorescent proteins, and quantum dots, face challenges like photo bleaching, toxicity, and limited biocompatibility, while rare-earth doped phosphors offer superior photo-stability and low toxicity but are hindered by low water-solubility and complex synthesis methods, restricting their commercial development.
Innovation Solution
A one-pot synthesis method using a solution of lanthanide and halide compounds with a capping agent, heated under pressure to produce water-soluble nanoparticles that exhibit up-conversion luminescence, enhancing biocompatibility and reducing environmental impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If rare-earth doped phosphors are synthesized by solution methods using non-hydrolytic solvents or liquid-solid-solution process, then optical properties and photo-stability are improved, but water-solubility and biocompatibility deteriorate due to hydrophobic surface ligands
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the synthesis system by using hydrolytic solvents (water, alcohols) instead of non-hydrolytic solvents, and controls pH, temperature, and reaction time to enable direct synthesis of water-soluble REPs with hydrophilic surface groups (-OH, -COOH, -NH2) without requiring post-synthesis surface modification
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses hydrolytic solvents as intermediaries that facilitate the formation of water-soluble REPs by enabling hydrolysis reactions during synthesis, which generate hydrophilic surface groups that act as natural mediators for water solubility and biocompatibility
2Adaptability or versatility
If surface modification techniques are used to improve water-solubility, then biocompatibility is improved, but synthesis complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the synthesis process with surface functionalization by conducting both operations in a single hydrolytic solvent system, eliminating the need for separate surface modification steps and reducing overall process complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The REPs self-functionalize during synthesis by forming hydrophilic surface groups through hydrolysis reactions in the hydrolytic solvent environment, eliminating the need for external surface modification agents or processes
3Productivity
If conventional synthesis methods are used, then production is achieved, but environmental pollution from organic wastes increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the solvent parameter from organic non-hydrolytic solvents to hydrolytic solvents (water, alcohols), which are environmentally benign and reduce organic waste pollution while maintaining effective REP synthesis and surface functionalization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts potentially harmful organic synthesis processes into beneficial environmentally friendly hydrolytic processes, where water and alcohols serve as both solvents and reagents that generate hydrophilic surface groups, turning a limitation into an advantage
4Manufacturing precision
If small-batch lab-scale synthesis is used, then synthesis precision is maintained, but commercial development is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal synthesis methodology that functions effectively across different scales by using hydrolytic solvents and simple hydrolysis reactions that can be easily scaled from lab to production while maintaining consistent product quality and surface properties
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses parameters (temperature, pH, reaction time) that can be easily adjusted and controlled at different scales, enabling the same hydrolytic synthesis protocol to be applied from small-batch research to large-scale commercial production with consistent results
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The method yields nanoparticles with improved water-solubility and biocompatibility, demonstrating long-lasting localization and low cytotoxicity in cells, suitable for both in-vitro and in-vivo imaging with reduced background interference and enhanced signal-to-noise ratio.
Implementation Method 1
heating the mixture under pressure to produce a plurality of particles
Implementation Method 2
water-soluble particles which exhibit up-conversion luminescence utilizing NIR excitation
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for synthesizing water-soluble particles, the method includes providing a solution including a lanthanide compound, a halide compound, and a first solvent; introducing a capping agent into the solution to form a mixture; heating the mixture under pressure to produce the particles; and recovering the particles from the mixture. The present invention also relates to a water-soluble particle having a surface functional group. The particles exhibit up-conversion luminescence utilizing NIR excitation, wherein the particles are synthesized in a one-pot process.