Yes / To develop an efficient nanotechnology fluorescence-based method to track cell proliferation to avoid the limitations of current cell-labeling dyes. Material & methods: Synthesis, PEGylation, bifunctionalization and labeling with a fluorophore (Cy5) of 200 nm polystyrene nanoparticles (NPs) were performed. These NPs were characterized and assessed for in vitro long-term monitoring of cell proliferation. Results: The optimization and validation of this method to track long-term cell proliferation assays have been achieved with high reproducibility, without cell cycle disruption. This method has been successfully applied in several adherent and suspension cells including hard-to-transfect cells and isolated human primary lymphocytes. Conclusion: A novel approach to track efficiently cellular proliferation by flow cytometry using fluorescence labeled NPs has been successfully developed.

Submitted by Marlene Santos (marlene.bc.ufg@gmail.com) on 2016-08-09T18:01:35Z No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - José Antônio do Nascimento Neto - 2015.pdf: 1464228 bytes, checksum: 6ffcc85c1cb4ac729567b0a5239e3030 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Luciana Ferreira (lucgeral@gmail.com) on 2016-08-10T11:53:42Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - José Antônio do Nascimento Neto - 2015.pdf: 1464228 bytes, checksum: 6ffcc85c1cb4ac729567b0a5239e3030 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-10T11:53:42Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 Dissertação - José Antônio do Nascimento Neto - 2015.pdf: 1464228 bytes, checksum: 6ffcc85c1cb4ac729567b0a5239e3030 (MD5) license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-05-18 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - CAPES / Manganese-doped ZnS nanoparticles (ZnS:Mn) are attractive quantum dots (QDs) for applications in several areas of science and technology due to its high luminescence and low toxicity. In this work we describe the synthesis of ZnS:Mn nanoparticles by co-precipitation synthesis method in aqueous medium, using acetate and chloride salts as precursors of Zn and Mn ions and sodium sulfide as sulfur precursor. An investigation of the effect of the ions precursor salts was carried auto on the nanoparticles composition, crystal structure and optical properties. Atomic absorption spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV-visible spectroscopy and spectrofluorometry have been used to characterize the doping status, the crystal structure, and the optical properties of the obtained ZnS:Mn nanoparticles. Using 2.4 – 4.8% Mn to Zn molar ratio in the synthesis were obtained nanoparticles presenting a doped range of 0.3 – 1.2%, for both precursor investigated. It was found a synthesis strategy based on chloride salts, which allowed the preparation of nanoparticles free of chloride ions. The x ray diffraction analysis showed that the zinc blend structure is the only crystalline phase present in the nanoparticles, and the mean size estimated by Debye-Scherrer was in the range of 3 - 5 nm. The photoluminescence spectra (PL) in the range of 350 - 700 nm of the nanoparticles prepared from both precursor salts present only a intense emission at 590 nm (excitation at 335 nm) assigned to the 4T1–6A1 transition within the 3d shell of Mn2+, which indicates that the ZnS nanocrystals were successfully doped. The photoluminescence quantum yields (PL QYs) measured for the nanoparticles were in the range of 1.5 - 3%, which are in the range of that presented in the literature for ZnS:Mn QDs prepared by aqueous synthesis without further surface treatment. / As nanopartículas de sulfeto de zinco dopadas com manganês (ZnS:Mn) apresentam-se como pontos quânticos (quantum dots, QDs) bastante atraentes para aplicações em diversas áreas da ciência e tecnologia por apresentarem alta luminescência e baixa toxicidade. Nesse trabalho foi investigado o efeito dos sais precursores dos íons zinco e manganês, acetato e cloreto, na composição, nas propriedades estruturais e nas propriedades ópticas de nanopartículas de ZnS:Mn sintetizadas pelo método de coprecipitação em meio aquoso, utilizando o sulfeto de zinco como fonte de enxofre. A caracterização composicional das nanopartículas realizada por espectroscopia de dispersão de raios X (EDS) mostrou que a relação Zn:S obtida nos nanocristais foi em média 1:08 e a análise por espectroscopia da absorção atômica mostrou que a dopagem obtida (relação molar Mn/Zn 0,3 - 1,2%) é inferior à empregada na síntese (relação molar Mn/Zn 2,4 - 4,8%). Foi estabelecida uma metodologia de síntese a partir do sal de cloreto que permitiu a obtenção de nanopartículas livres de íons cloreto. As análises por difratometria de raios X mostraram a presença de uma única fase cristalina (blenda de zinco) em todas as nanopartículas. Não houve diferença significativa entre os tamanhos médios (estimados pela equação de Debye-Scherrer) das nanopartículas obtidas com os dois sais precursores, tendo sido obtidas nanopartículas com tamanhos médios de 3 a 5 nm. As análises por UV-Vis mostraram um deslocamento da banda de absorção para comprimentos menores do que o ZnS (bulk) indicando o efeito de confinamento quântico nas nanopartículas obtidas, devido a dopagem com manganês e do tamanho das nanopartículas. O espectro de emissão de todas as nanopartículas mostraram apenas um pico com o máximo de emissão em 590nm, o que confirma a dopagem do ZnS apenas com os íons Mn2+. Os valores de rendimento quânticos determinados ficaram na faixa de 1,5% – 3%, que são condizentes com os apresentados na literatura para nanopartículas de ZnS:Mn sintetizadas em meio aquoso, sem posterior funcionalização. Os resultados obtidos estimulam a realização de novas sínteses a partir dos precursores cloretos visando a obtenção de nanopartículas com maior rendimento quântico e, passíveis de serem funcionalizadas com diferentes ligantes.

Orientador: Ivo Milton Raimundo Júnior / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Química / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-20T16:51:10Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Santos_KleciaMoraisdos_D.pdf: 2306751 bytes, checksum: bf7642f623ca7798b881b810cd6dd821 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: Neste trabalho diferentes fases sensoras foram desenvolvidas para implementar novas estratégias para a determinação de íons cobre em águas naturais, empregando Espectroscopia Óptica de Emissão em Plasma Induzido por Laser (LIBS) e Espectroscopia de Luminescência. Nas determinações por LIBS, membranas de PVC plastificadas foram empregadas para extração e pré-concentração de íons cobre em meio aquoso, fornecendo curvas analíticas na faixa de 10 mg L - 100mg L (R > 0,90). Esses estudos mostraram que a técnica LIBS é capaz de detectar íons cobre em concentrações da ordem de mg L, indicando que membranas extratoras podem ser aplicadas como uma eficiente estratégia de pré-concentração. Dessa forma, LIBS pode ser considerada como uma potencial e viável ferramenta para determinação de íons Cu(II) em águas. Determinações baseadas em Espectroscopia de Luminescência foram realizadas usando o bis(1,10-fenantrolina)1-(4-hidroxi 3-(1H-imidazol [4,5-f][1,10] rutênio(II) bis hexafluorofosfato ([Ru(phen)2HAIP](PF6)2), que foi imobilizado em membranas de metacrilato, de PVC e iônicas, sol-gel e nanopartículas (NP) de sílica. O reagente luminescente apresenta alta seletividade para íons Cu (II) em solução, enquanto somente as nanopartículas mostraram sensibilidade adequada para esse íon. As nanopartículas de sílica foram sintetizadas através do método Stöber, sendo que o reagente luminescente foi adicionado em diferentes estágios da síntese (0, 3, 6 e 8 horas), a qual foi realizada em um total de 10 horas. A microscopia de transição eletrônica (TEM) mostrou nanopartículas com diâmetros em torno de 10-20 nm. As nanopartículas sintetizadas pela adição do reagente após 8h de síntese apresentaram uma faixa linear entre 2,0-8,0 mmol L, um limite de detecção de 0,30 mmol L, um limite de quantificação de 1,0 mmol L e um tempo de resposta (t90%) < 30 s. A nanopartícula apresentou alta seletividade para íons cobre, não mostrando interferências dos íons Zn(II), Cd(II), Ni(II), Hg(II), Pb(II) e Fe(III). As nanopartículas foram aplicadas para determinação de íons Cu(II) em amostras de água mineral e de torneira que foram enriquecidas com 5,0 e 7,0 mmol L do analito. Recuperações na faixa de 88,1-109,6% foram obtidas, indicando a potencialidade das NPs fluorescentes para determinação de Cu(II) em águas. Além disso, os íons Cu (II) podem ser liberados na NP depois de tratamento ácido, sendo regenerado para um novo conjunto de medidas, tornando o reagente reutilizável, fato que está de acordo com os princípios da Química Verde / Abstract: In this work, different sensing phases were developed to implement new strategies for determination of copper ions in natural waters, employing Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) and Luminescence Spectroscopy. In the determinations by LIBS, plasticized PVC membranes were employed for extraction and pre-concentration of copper ions in aqueous medium, providing analytical curves in the range from 10 mg L to 100mg L (R > 0.90). These studies have shown that LIBS is able to detect copper ions in concentrations as low as mg L, indicating that extraction membranes can be applied as an efficient strategy of pre-concentration. In this way, LIBS can be considered as a potential and feasible tool for Cu(II) determination in waters. Determinations based on luminescence spectroscopy were performed by using the bis(1,10-phenanthroline)1-(4-hydroxy 3-(1H-imidazo [4,5-f][1,10] ruthenium(II) bis(hexafluorophosphate) reagent ([Ru(phen)2HAIP](PF6)2), which was immobilized in methacrylate, PVC and ionic membranes, sol-gel silica and silica nanoparticles (NP). The luminescent reagent presented high selectivity to Cu(II) ions in solution, while only the silica nanoparticles showed adequate sensitivity to this ion. The nanoparticles were synthesized by the Stöber method, being the luminescent reagent added at different stages of the synthesis (0, 3, 6 and 8 hours), which was a performed in a total interval of 10 hours. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed nanoparticles with diameters around 10-20 nm. The nanoparticles synthesized by adding the reagent after 8 hours provided a linear response range from 2.0 to 8.0 mmol L, a detection limit of a 0.30 mmol L, a quantification limit of 1.0 mmol L and response time (t90%) < 30 s. The nanoparticle presented high selectivity for copper ions, showing no interference of Zn(II), Cd(II), Ni(II), Hg(II), Pb(II) and Fe(III) ions. The nanoparticles were applied to determination of Cu(II) ions in mineral and tap water samples, which were spiked with 5.0 and 7.0 mmol L of the analyte. Recovery within 88.1-109.6% were attained, indicating the capability of the fluorescent NPs for Cu(II) determination in waters. In addition, the Cu(II) ions can be released from the NP by acidic treatment, being regenerated for another set of measurements, making the reagent reusable, fact that is in agreement with the principles of Green Chemistry / Doutorado / Quimica Analitica / Doutor em Ciências

As demand for food increases, rapid testing methods are becoming increasingly important. In the past few years, yogurt has become popular. Yeast species are the most common spoilage organism, costing consumers and food companies money. A novel lateral flow assay has been developed to detect yeast oligonucleotide sequences. Gold nanoparticles were used as the standard reporter and fluorescent nanoparticles were developed as the novel reporter. The fluorescent nanoparticles were ruthenium-doped silica nanoparticles synthesized using the modified Stöber method. Visual analysis of assays using standard reporters showed the limit of detection to be 10 femtomoles of target sequence. Analysis of the fluorescent nanoparticles using a plate reader showed the limit of detection to be 0.027 femtomoles. The fluorescent reporter’s limit of detection is 1000 fold lower due to a sophisticated, more sensitive analysis method. Gold nanoparticles are appropriate for presence or absence testing, but fluorescent nanoparticles are best for obtaining quantitative data with low detection limits. Pathogens have been used as biological warfare for centuries. A brief review of common biowarfare agents is included. Yersinia pestis, the causative agent of the Plague, and Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of Anthrax, are the focus. Additional work using gold nanoparticles as reporter in a sandwich assay is also included. The novel dye covered reporter was compared to the control, which was a single dye molecule linked to the reporter sequence. Repeated testing showed the novel reporter had a lower limit of detection and higher sensitivity due to increased ability to bind target.

No description available.

Essa tese teve por objetivo desenvolver nanopartículas conjugadas, magnetofluorescentes, de alta performance, com base na associação de semicondutores nanocristalinos do tipo II-VI, do inglês quantum dots, com nanopartículas de óxido de ferro não-estequiométricas, em regime superparamagnético, para aplicações em ensaios não destrutivos. Foram testadas três tipos de nanopartículas de óxido de ferro para atuarem como potenciais plataformas magnéticas de ancoramento. Esses materiais foram caracterizados por diversas técnicas e, dentre elas, uma nova metodologia de pesagem externa desenvolvida para a avaliação da magnetização de saturação e para o estudo de processos magnetoforéticos. Os semicondutores nanocristalinos do tipo II-VI foram sintetizados, em meio aquoso, por uma nova metodologia, com controle cinético em tempo real que se mostrou ser uma ferramenta poderosa na investigação dos processos sintéticos. Os conjugados magnetofluorescentes foram desenvolvidos a partir da combinação adequada entre as nanopartículas de óxido de ferro e os quantum dots, utilizando brometo de hexadeciltrimetilamônio, CTAB, como espaçador químico. O material assim obtido foi caracterizado por microscopia eletrônica de transmissão de alta resolução, por espectrofluorometria, por espectroscopia eletrônica e por medidas de magnetização de amostra vibrante. Suas características ópticas e magnéticas foram exploradas com sucesso em testes iniciais de corpos de prova, na identificação de fendas estruturais por meio de ensaios magneto-luminescentes de caráter não destrutivos. / This Ph.D dissertation focused on the development of high performance magneto-fluorescent-conjugated nanoparticles, combining tunable II-VI quantum dots and surface modified-non-stoichiometric iron oxide nanoparticles, aiming application in non-destructive assays. Three types of iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized as magnetic anchoring platforms. These materials were characterized by means of several techniques, and a new methodology of external weighting with analytical balances was developed to evaluate the saturation magnetization of the samples and to investigate the magnetophoretic process. The water-soluble quantum dots were obtained by means of kinetically controlled synthesis, which were monitored in real-time, providing a powerful technique in the investigation of synthetic pathways. The magneto-fluorescentconjugated nanoparticles were assembled by the appropriate combination of the constituents with surfactant species, acting as spacers in order to minimize the Förster Resonance Energy Transfer mechanisms (FRET). Such new probes were characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy, fluorescence and electronic spectroscopy, and by vibrating sample magnetometer, and were successfully tested in the in non-destructive assays for the detection of fractures in metallic structures.

Développer de nouveaux fluorophores ayant une forte section efficace d’absorption à deux photons (ADP) et des propriétés d'émission dans le rouge lointain est important, en particulier pour l’imagerie in-vivo profonde. Cette gamme de longueur d'onde correspond en effet à la fenêtre de transparence optique des tissus. Cette thèse étudie le potentiel de nouveaux fluorophores émettant dans rouge construits sur un noyau fluorène pour la microscopie à deux photons in-vivo, en privilégiant l'imagerie du système vasculaire, d'une part, et la mesure optique de la pression d'oxygène dissous, d'autre part.Ainsi, une famille de chromophores asymétriques a été conçue et synthétisée. La plupart des chromophores présentent une forte émission dans le proche IR, induite par l'agrégation. De plus, une stratégie de co-protection basée sur un système micellaire / silice a été utilisé pour préparer des nanoparticules avec un intérieur apolaire et conserver les propriétés optiques des chromophores dipolaires en solution aqueuse. Des mesures de fluorescence excitée à deux photons ont été menées en solvant organique et en suspension aqueuse. Les agrégats et les nanoparticules ont été utilisés avec succès en imagerie biphotonique du système vasculaire sur petit animal en utilisant un modèle de tumeur à l'intérieur de la peau de l'oreille de la souris. Les nanoparticules de silice montrent une coloration exceptionnelle du système vasculaire qui en fait de parfaits marqueurs du système vasculaire.Dans un deuxième temps, quatre nouveaux chromophores, absorbant à deux photons, ont été synthétisés et leurs propriétés photo physiques à un et à deux photons ont été étudiées. Le chromophore le plus adapté a ensuite été greffé de manière covalente par chimie click, à un complexe de palladium avec un ligand porphyrine, cœur phosphorescent dont l’émission est sensible à la présence d’oxygène. Deux composés contenant quatre ou huit absorbeur à deux photons ont été obtenus et étudiés. Les résultats démontrent que l'incorporation d'un chromophore ADP approprié peut effectivement augmenter les propriétés d’ADP du système, ce qui permet une sensibilité efficace vis-à-vis de l'oxygène. / The development of fluorophores with efficient two-photon absorption (TPA) and emission properties in the far red/NIR is important, especially for in depth in-vivo optical imaging as this wavelength range corresponds to the optical transparency window of tissues. This thesis investigates the potential of new red emitting fluorophores containing a fluorene ring for in-vivo two-photon microscopy focusing on vascular imaging on one hand and on oxygen pressure measurement on the other hand.A new series of asymmetrical fluorene-based chromophores were designed and synthesized. Their structure-property relationships were systematically investigated. It was found that most of chromophores exhibit aggregation-induced emission behaviors in the NIR region. In addition, a micelle/silica coprotection strategy was proposed to prepare nanoparticles with a less polar interior, which can be used to conserve optical properties of dipole chromophores in aqueous solution. The two-photon excited fluorescence (TPEF) measurements indicate that they all display obvious TPA activities in organic solvent and aqueous suspension. Both the NIR-emissive aggregates and nanoparticles have been successfully used for TPEF imaging of blood vessels inside mouse ear skin. The silica nanoparticles show outstanding staining of the vascular system making them perfect blood pool markers.On a second part, four new fluorene-based two-photon absorbing chromophores have been synthesized and their one- and two-photon photophysical properties were investigated. The optimum chromophore was successfully attached covalently to an oxygen responsive phosphorescent Pd-porphyrin complex by click chemistry. Two new compounds contain four or eight TPA chromophores donor connected to the phosphorescent core. The result demonstrate that the incorporation of a suitable TPA chromophore can effectively enhance the TPA of the system, allowing efficient sensitivity towards oxygen.

[pt] As nanopartículas de sílica (SiNPs) são amplamente utilizadas em diversas áreas e formam nanofluidos com propriedades excepcionais quando suspensas em um fluido base. No entanto, o transporte e a quantificação de SiNPs em meios porosos representam desafios significativos. Para resolver isso, a espectroscopia de fluorescência é uma técnica promissora para essa tarefa. Neste estudo, uma série denanopartículas core-shell fluorescentes à base de sílica (FSiNPs) com núcleos semelhantes, mas diferentes grupos de superfície foram sintetizadas usando os métodos de síntese de Stober e WORM. Essas FSiNPs híbridas foram projetadas e apresentaram o mesmo comportamento coloidal que as SiNPs comerciais amplamente aplicadas na forma de nanofluidos. A presença de grupos amino primários foi confirmada nas FSiNPs positivas, caracterizações posteriorescorroboraram a presença de matéria orgânica confirmando a inserção de moléculas fluorescentes em todas as FSiNPs. Análises comparativas revelaram que o método WORM produziu nanopartículas mais homogêneas tanto no quesito formato quanto na distribuição de tamanho. A análise de adsorção/dessorção de N2 demonstrou semelhanças entre os FSiNPs sintetizados e as SiNPs comerciais, validando sua adequação para experimentos de transporte com foco no comportamento coloidal. Ambas as WORM-FSiNPs foram quantificadas com sucesso no efluente após fluir através da coluna de esferas de vidro. A SiNP contendo grupos de superfície aminopropil mostraram a maior estabilidade e menor adsorção em comparação com aqueles enxertados com grupos silanol. Isso foi atribuído ao efeito de interações atrativas mais fortes entre as NPs e as moléculas do surfactante aniônico. Por fim, foi demonstrado o potencial dessas NPs fluorescentes como marcadores sensíveis para estudos de transporte e adsorção em nanofluidos contendo surfactantes. / [en] Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) are widely used in various fields, and they form nanofluids with exceptional properties when they are suspended in a base fluid. However, the transport and quantification of SiNPs in porous media pose significant challenges. To address this, fluorescence spectroscopy is a promising technique for this task. In this study, a series of core-shell silica-based fluorescent nanoparticles (FSiNPs) with similar cores but different surface groups were synthesized using the Stober and WORM synthesis methods. These hybrid FSiNPs were designed and presented the same colloidal behavior as commercial SiNPs widely applied in the form of nanofluids. The presence of primary amino groups was confirmed in positive-FSiNPs, and a posterior characterization supported the presence of organic matter in nanoparticles confirming the insertion of fluorescent molecules in all FSiNPs. Comparative analyses revealed that the WORM method produced more homogeneous nanoparticles with consistent form and size distribution. The N2 adsorption/desorption analysis demonstrated similarities between the synthesized FSiNPs and commercial SiNPs, validating their suitability for transport experiments focusing on colloidal behavior. Both WORM-FSiNPs were successfully quantified in the effluent after flowing through the glass bead column. The SiNP-containing aminopropyl surface groups showed the greatest stability and lowest adsorption compared with those grafted with silanol groups. It was attributed to the effect of stronger attractive interactions between the NPs and anionic surfactant molecules. The potential of these fluorescent NPs as sensitive tracers for transport and adsorption studies in nanofluids containing surfactants was demonstrated.

No description available.

This thesis provides several nanomaterial systems that can be used as contrast agents in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and for optical fluorescence imaging. Nanoparticle systems described in this thesis fall under three categories: (a) graphene oxide-nanoparticle composites for MRI contrast agent application, (b) core-shell nanoparticles for MRI contrast agent application and (c) nanoparticle systems for both MRI and optical fluorescence imaging. In the case of graphene oxide based nano-composites, the following observations were made: (i) in the case of graphene oxide-Fe3O4 nanoparticle composite, it was observed that high extent of oxidation of the graphene oxide and large spacing between the graphene oxide sheets containing Fe3O4 nanoparticles provides the optimum structure for yielding a very high transverse proton relaxivity value, (ii) in the case of graphene oxide-Gd2O3 nanoparticle composite, it was observed that this composite exhibits high value for both longitudinal and transverse relaxivity values making it a potential materials for multi-contrast study of pathologies with a single agent, (iii) in the case of graphene oxide-CoFe2O4 nanoparticle composites, it was observed that an increase in the reflux time of the reaction mixture containing this composite led to appreciable variations in the proton relaxivity values. Transverse relaxivity value of the water protons increased monotonically with increase in the reflux time. Whereas, the longitudinal relaxivity value initially increased and then decreased with increase in the reflux time. In the case of coreshell nanoparticles for MRI contrast agent application two different core-shell systems were investigated. They are MnFe2O3-Fe3O4 core-shell nanoparticles and CoFe2O4-MnFe2O4 coreshell nanoparticles. Investigations of both the core-shell nanoparticle systems revealed that the proton relaxivity value obtained in the dispersion of the core-shell nanoparticles was considerably greater than the proton relaxivity value obtained in the presence of single phase nanoparticles of the core and shell phases. Very high value of transverse relaxivity in the case core-shell nanoparticles was due to the large magnetic inhomogeneity created by the core-shell nanoparticles in the water medium surrounding it. In the case of nanoparticle systems for both MRI and optical fluorescence imaging, two different systems were investigated. They were CoFe2O4-ZnO core-shell nanoparticles and Gd doped ZnS nanoparticles [Zn1-xGdxS, x= 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3] formed on graphene oxide sheets or coated with chitosan. In the case of CoFe2O4-ZnO core-shell nanoparticles it was observed that fluorescent CoFe2O4-ZnO core-shell nanoparticles with the unique geometry in which CoFe2O4 ferrite nanoparticles agglomerates were present within larger sized hollow ZnO capsules yields very high value of transverse proton relaxivity when compared to the proton relaxivity value exhibited by the individual CoFe2O4-ZnO coreshell nanoparticles. In the case of Gd doped ZnS nanoparticles, two different systems were synthesized and the values of the longitudinal and transverse proton relaxivity obtained were compared. These systems were (i) graphene oxide- Zn1-xGdxS (x= 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3) nanoparticle composites and (ii) chitosan coated Zn1-xGdxS (x= 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3) nanoparticles. It was observed that Gd doped ZnS nanoparticles in both cases exhibit both longitudinal and transverse relaxivity values. The relaxivity values showed a clear dependence on the composition of the nanoparticles and the nanoparticle environment (presence and absence of graphene oxide). It was also observed that Gd doped ZnS nanoparticle can be used for florescence imaging.