Laser-generated bismuth nanoparticles for applications in imaging and radiotherapy. (August 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Torrisi, L.; Silipigni, L.; Restuccia, N.; Cuzzocrea, S.; Cutroneo, M.; Barreca, F.; Fazio, B.; Di Marco, G.; Guglielmino, S.
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics and chemistry of solids. Volume 119(2018)
• Page Start: 62
• Page End: 70
• Publication Date: 2018-08
• Subjects: Bismuth -- Nanoparticles -- Contrast medium -- Radiotherapy -- X-ray images; Solids -- Periodicals; Solides -- Périodiques; Solids; Periodicals; 530.41
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpcs.2018.03.034
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3697

Abstract

Abstract: Bismuth nanoparticles were obtained by laser ablation in water and characterized by using different physical techniques. Their shape, estimated by SEM measurements, was approximately spherical with an average diameter of about 25 nm, and a solution concentration of about 0.8 mg/ml was prepared. The formation of pure Bi nanoparticles was also confirmed by micro-Raman spectra which showed the characteristic first order Raman modes of rhombohedral bismuth. The presence of this phase was also supported by the XRD pattern. The EDX analysis indicated that the as–prepared nanoparticles contained Bi metallic element. The high Z of the nanoparticles in the solution shows effects of surface plasmon resonance in the near ultraviolet and visible regions, high mass absorption coefficient for X-ray interaction and high electronic and nuclear stopping powers for electron and ion beams. Such biocompatible solution can be injected in living systems, such as mice, in order to study the presence of uptake in different organs with high contrast spatial localization in the tissues where Bi nanoparticles are confined. The results indicate that Bi nanoparticles can be employed as high contrast medium for high resolution imaging in biological systems as well as target for exposition to ionizing radiation during radiotherapy or to visible light during hyperthermia of diseased cells. Highlights: Manuscript reports innovative experiments performer using Bi nanoparticles synthesized using laser ablation in water. The nanoparticles can be injected in tumor tissue to increase the image contrast and to prepare them for radiotherapy. The transpot of Bi nanoparticles to cancer cells can occurs using phages.