Room temperature phosphorescence of the biocompatible B2O3/SiO2 nanocomposite and its application for cellular imaging

A highly emissive broadband phosphor based on B2O3/SiO2 nanoparticles was prepared using a sol–gel method. The room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) produced from this phosphor was carefully studied and its phosphorescence spectra were found to be featured with two peaks in the visible region. One of the peaks at 540 nm originated from B2O3 and the other at 470 nm was generated from SiO2. The B2O3/SiO2 nanoparticles are noncytotoxic and possess remarkable environmental stability. Therefore, the B2O3/SiO2 phosphors can serve as bioprobes for cellular imaging.