Structure, optical spectroscopy and cytotoxicity of dielectric zirconia-based nanoparticles for biophotonic applications

The results of the study of ZrO$_2$–30 mol.% Yb$_2$O$_3$ nanoparticles of different sizes, which can be used for the treatment of superficial tumors, are presented. Excitation by laser radiation with $\lambda$ = 980 nm and a power density of $J$ = 0.9 kW/cm$^2$ led to heating of all samples. The cytotoxicity of particles was studied on the cell culture of mouse hepatoma Mh22a, as well as on spheroids formed from this cell culture. It was found that particles with a coherent scattering region size of 99 nm are characterized by the highest cytotoxicity at concentrations of 50 and 25 mg/ml when exposed to 980 nm laser radiation.