Luminescence Properties of Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Encapsulating Different Europium Complexes: Application for Biolabelling

In this work we have synthesized and characterized new hybrid nanoplatforms for luminescent biolabeling based on the concept of Eu3+ complexes encapsulation in mesoporous silica nanoparticles (≈100 nm). Eu complexes have been selected on the basis of their capability to be excited at 365 nm which is a currently available wavelength, on routine epifluorescence microscope. For Eu complexes encapsulation, two different routes have been used: the first route consists in grafting the transition metal complex into the silica wall surface. The second way deals with impregnation of the mesoporous silica NPs with the Eu complex. Using the second route, a silica shell coating is realized, to prevent any dye release, and the best result has been obtained using Eu-BHHCT complex. However, the best solution appears to be the grafting of Eu(TTA)3-Phen-Si to mesoporous silica NPs. For this hybrid, mSiO2-Eu(TTA)3(Phen-Si) full characterization of the nanoplatforms is also presented