Bright Europium and terbium ²-diketonate complexes with phenanthro-imidazole ligands for biomarker applications

• Grant number: 23/13147-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2023
• End date: December 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Maria Claudia França da Cunha Felinto
• Grantee: André Henrique Dias Alves Cabral
• Host Institution: Instituto de Pesquisas Energéticas e Nucleares (IPEN). Secretaria de Desenvolvimento Econômico (São Paulo - Estado). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/08111-2 - Development of rare earth based light converters: luminescent markers, optical sensors, and amplifiers, AP.TEM

Abstract

In this project, we will synthesize and characterize rare earth ²-diketone complexes with ligands C1-modified phenanthro-imidazole. The goal is to obtain luminescent complexes of rare earths with high quantum efficiency and be used as biological markers, imaging, and therapy. These complexes can also actuate as photonic materials in the areas of security and lighting. The complexes will be coated with organosilanes and/or polymers to be able to bind them into biological entities. This project will use several characterization techniques: x-ray, SEM and TEM, FTIR spectroscopy, thermal analysis (TG/DTG), etc. For the luminescent study, emission spectra, excitation, and excited-state lifetime measurements will be used.