Search

Perovskites, garnets, monoclinic forms, and lately also oxyhydroxides doped with rare-earth ions have been drawn large attention due to their beneficial optical and photovoltaic properties. In this work, we have shown that several forms of crystals from Y–Al–O family can be synthesized using microwave driven hydrothermal technique using different pH and post-growth annealing at different temperatures. The structural and optical properties of these crystals were investigated as a function of hydrothermal crystallization conditions. For this purpose, x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, photoluminescence, and photoluminescence excitation studies were performed. All the structures have been doped with Eu3+ ions which are known as a local symmetry sensor because various symmetries generate different crystal fields and thus affect their luminescence spectra. The optical properties of the obtained nanoparticles in correlation with their structure and chemical composition are discussed.

Zinc-based nanoparticles are promising materials for various applications, including in biomedicine. The aim of our study was to determine the effect of fluorescent europium-doped zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO:Eu NPs) on sperm parameters, cell apoptosis and integrity of the blood-testis barrier (BTB) in mice. Nanostructures were orally administered to adult mice (n = 34). Animals were sacrificed after 3 h, 24 h, 7 d and 14 d following oral administration. Sperm was collected and analysed for viability and kinetic parameters. Collected testes were quantitatively analysed for accumulation of ZnO:Eu NPs. Microscopic evaluation based on immunofluorescence and histopathological studies were also conducted. Results showed that ZnO:Eu NPs were able to overcome the BTB with their subsequent accumulation in the testis. No toxic or pro-apoptotic effects of nanoparticles on the male reproductive system were observed. The results suggested that ZnO:Eu NPs were able to accumulate in the testis with no negative impact on sperm parameters, tissue architecture or the integrity of the BTB.