Multifunctional carbon nanospheres with magnetic and luminescent probes: probable brain theranostic agents.

Multi-functional carbon nanospheres with magnetic Prussian blue nanoparticles and luminescent lanthanide ions have been prepared. The negatively charged surface of the glucose derived carbon sphere facilitates the nucleation of Prussian blue nanoparticles on its surface. The luminescent lanthanide probes were attached to the surface of the carbon sphere through a benzene tricarboxylic acid linker. These multifunctional hybrid organic-inorganic composites are superparamagnetic and show enhanced luminescent properties. Their ability to cross the blood-brain barrier (enter the brain cell nucleus with no animal toxicity) in a mouse model indicate that these nanocomposites are promising theranostic agents for the treatment of brain diseases.