Photoluminescence and decay characteristics of cerium, gallium and vanadium- containing borate-based bioactive glass powders for bioimaging applications

Biomaterials having photoluminescent properties play a crucial role in real-time bioimaging after in vivo implantation. In this study, photoluminescence properties and decay characteristics of the borate-based 13-93B3 glasses containing different concentrations of cerium, gallium, and vanadium oxides were investigated for biomedical applications. The borate-based bioactive glass powders were prepared using melt-quench technique and size reduction was performed through planetary ball milling. Bioactivity of the prepared powders was investigated in simulated body fluid at 37 degrees C under static conditions. The photoluminescent properties and decay kinetics of the as-prepared and the SBF-treated bioactive glass powders were analyzed by steady-state and time resolved photoluminescence measurements. Results revealed that the cerium activated glasses exhibited an intense luminescence centered at 538 nm. Broad-band emission of the gallium and vanadium doped samples was centered at 440 and 572 nm, respectively. All of the SBF-treated glasses exhibited enhanced lifetimes and biexponential decays both in nanosecond and microsecond regime measurements. It was concluded that depending on the dopant concentration, bioactive glass particles prepared in the study showed remarkable photoluminescence and have potential to be used in bioimaging applications.

Automated summary

In this study, the photoluminescent properties and decay characteristics of borate-based bioactive glasses containing different concentrations of cerium, gallium, and vanadium oxides were investigated for biomedical applications. The cerium activated glasses exhibited intense luminescence, while gallium and vanadium doped samples showed broad-band emission at different wavelengths. All SBF-treated glasses exhibited enhanced lifetimes and biexponential decays.