POSCO Holdings Inc.
UPCONVERSION NANOPARTICLE, HYALURONIC ACID-UPCONVERSION NANOPARTICLE CONJUGATE, AND A PRODUCTION METHOD THEREOF USING A CALCULATION FROM FIRST PRINCIPLES

Abstract:

An upconversion nanoparticle includes at least one host selected from LiYF.sub.4, NaY, NaYF.sub.4, NaGdF.sub.4, and CaF.sub.3, at least one sensitizer selected from Sm.sup.3+, Nd.sup.3+, Dy.sup.3+, Ho.sup.3+, and Yb.sup.3+ doped in the at least one host, and at least one activator selected from Er.sup.3+, Ho.sup.3+, Tm.sup.3+, and Eu.sup.3+ doped in the at least one host. The upconversion nanoparticle is designed using a calculation from first principles to absorb light in the near-infrared wavelength range whose stability is ensured. Further, a hyaluronic acid-upconversion nanoparticle conjugate, in which the upconversion nanoparticle as described above is bonded to hyaluronic acid, is provided to be used in various internal sites with a hyaluronic acid receptor, particularly enables targeting, and increases an internal retention period and biocompatibility thereof.