This study demonstrates that a luminescent Tb3+ complex with green emission can be complexed with hyaluronic (hya) to form nanoparticles. The structure of complexation is composed of a Tb(acac)2phen core with a hya surface, similar to those of the nano-poached eggs. What makes the structure unique is that Tb(acac)2phen and hya are connected by chemical bonds. To confirm their utility, we illustrate that the luminescence is rapidly and selectively quenched in the presence of Fe3+. Initial cytotoxicity experiments with human liver carcinoma cells show that the luminescent lanthanide complexes are cytotoxic, however, complexing lanthanides to hya renders them cytocompatible. The new complex integrates the advantages of superior lanthanide luminescence, the unique shape of nano-poached eggs, compatibility with aqueous systems, and cytocompatibility. Tb3+-induced hyaluronic nano-poached eggs (THNE) can, therefore, be used for Fe3+ detection in aqueous systems.
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