Fluorescent Inorganic‐Organic Hybrid Nanoparticles

Inorganic‐organic hybrid nanoparticles (IOH‐NPs) with a general composition [ZrO] 2+ [R Dye OPO 3 ] 2− , [Ln] 3+ n/3 [R Dye (SO 3 ) n ] n− , [Ln(OH)] 2+ n/2 [R Dye (SO 3 ) n ] n− , or [LnO] + n [R Dye (SO 3 ) n ] n− (Ln: lanthanide) are a novel class of nanomaterials for fluorescence detection and optical imaging. IOH‐NPs are characterized by an extremely high load of the fluorescent dye (70–85 wt‐%), high photochemical stability, straightforward aqueous synthesis, low material complexity, intense emission and high cell uptake at low toxicity. Besides full‐color emission, IOH‐NPs are suitable for multimodal imaging, singlet‐oxygen generation as well as drug delivery and drug release. This focus review presents the material concept of the IOH‐NPs as well as their synthesis and characterization. Their characteristic features are illustrated by selected in vitro and in vivo studies to initiate application in biology and medicine.