Abstract
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•Facile synthesis of optically bioactive SiO2@Pr(OH)3-microspheres through sol-gel process.•Spherical shaped, good aqueous colloidal stability.•Microspheres are optically active in visible region.•High biocompatibility and non-toxicity even at high concentration range.
In a facile synthesis, highly colloidal, bioactive Pr(OH)3-encapsulated silica microspheres (PSMSs) with an average diameter of 500–700 nm were successfully prepared via a sol-gel process followed by heat treatment. The phase formation, morphology, surface and optical properties of the as-synthesized PSMSs were characterized by various techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), N2-adsorption-desorption, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV/vis spectroscopy. The PSMSs were semi-amorphous or ultra-small in size, highly dispersible in water, mesoporous, irregular in size and spherical in shape. The SEM images show a well-ordered broad nanoporous structure which is preserved after coating with Pr(OH)3 molecules, demonstrating interaction between the optically active Pr3+ ion and silanol (Si−OH) groups via hydrogen bonding. Optical spectra show well-resolved weak intensity 4f-4f absorption transitions in the visible region of the Pr3+ ion, indicating successful grafting of the Pr(OH)3 layer. Toxicity was measured by MTT and NRU assays to determine potential toxicity. Cell viability was suppressed with increasing dosage of PSMSs, but showed greater than 55% cell viability at a concentration of 200 μg/mL, resulting in low toxicity. Due to its high aqueous dispersibility, optical activity, excellent biocompatibility and low toxic nature, it could be a favorable material for biomedical and drug delivery applications.