Synthesis and evaluation of cyclen-based lanthanide complexes for luminiscent sensing and as MRI contrast agents

Abstract

This thesis entitled "The Synthesis and Evaluation of Cyclen Based Lanthanide Complexes for Luminescent Sensing and as MRI Contrast Agents" is composed of five chapters. In the first chapter the photophysical properties of lanthanide ions are introduced and examples of the formation of mono and dinuclear complexes of these lanthanide ions are discussed. The potential applications of these lanthanide based complexes are outlined using literature examples. This is followed by a detailed discussion of the synthesis and charaterisation of gold nanoparticles and their functionalisation and stabilisation. The potential of these functionalised nanoparticles as sensors, probes and MRI contrast agents as demonstrated in the literature is discussed, with particular emphasis on the functionalisation of gold nanoparticles with metal complexes.