Multi-functional mesoporous β-Ga2O3: Cr3+ nanorod with long lasting near infrared luminescence for in vivo imaging and drug deliveryElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: Detailed experimental, XRD, size distribution and TGA of GaOOH: Cr3+; XRD and EDS of β-Ga2O3: Cr3+; bioimaging of nude mouse with β-Ga2O3: Cr3+ fluorescence. See DOI: 10.1039/c4ra14348e

The long lasting luminescent β-Ga 2 O 3 : Cr 3+ nanorod allows detection in deep organs hours after injection based on the fact that it exhibits more than 72 h afterglow in the wavelength range of 650-850 nm after the cessation of ultraviolet light irradiation. Moreover, its mesoporous structure provides a reservoir for anticancer drugs. β-Ga 2 O 3 : Cr 3+ nanorod can maintain its near infrared signal after the removal of the exciting UV, and this afterglow can be acquired by a CCD camera without an external light source.