Aqueous synthesis of CdTe/CdS/ZnS quantum dots and their optical and chemical properties

Luminescent Quantum Dots: Synthesis, Optical Properties, Bioimaging and Toxicity

Luminescent nanomaterials such as semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) and quantum dots (QDs) attract much attention to optical detectors, LEDs, photovoltaics, displays, biosensing, and bioimaging. These materials include metal chalcogenide QDs and metal halide perovskite NCs. Since the introduction of cadmium chalcogenide QDs to biolabeling and bioimaging, various metal nanoparticles (NPs), atomically precise metal nanoclusters, carbon QDs, graphene QDs, silicon QDs, and other chalcogenide QDs have been infiltrating the nano-bio interface as imaging and therapeutic agents. Nanobioconjugates prepared from luminescent QDs form a new class of imaging probes for cellular and in vivo imaging with single-molecule, super-resolution, and 3D resolutions. Surface modified and bioconjugated core-only and core-shell QDs of metal chalcogenides (MX; M = Cd/Pb/Hg/Ag, and X = S/Se/Te,), binary metal chalcogenides (MInX₂; M = Cu/Ag, and X = S/Se/Te), indium compounds (InAs and InP), metal NPs (Ag, Au, and Pt), pure or mixed precision nanoclusters (Ag, Au, Pt), carbon nanomaterials (graphene QDs, graphene nanosheets, carbon NPs, and nanodiamond), silica NPs, silicon QDs, etc. have become prevalent in biosensing, bioimaging, and phototherapy. While heavy metal-based QDs are limited to in vitro bioanalysis or clinical testing due to their potential metal ion-induced toxicity, carbon (nanodiamond and graphene) and silicon QDs, gold and silica nanoparticles, and metal nanoclusters continue their in vivo voyage towards clinical imaging and therapeutic applications. This review summarizes the synthesis, chemical modifications, optical properties, and bioimaging applications of semiconductor QDs with particular references to metal chalcogenide QDs and bimetallic chalcogenide QDs. Also, this review highlights the toxicity and pharmacokinetics of QD bioconjugates.

A glass matrices-assisted quantum dots-based biosensor for selective capturing and detection of Escherichia coli

Bacterial contamination of water and food is a grave health concern rendering humans quite vulnerable to disease(s), and proving, at times, fatal too. Exploration of the novel diagnostic tools is, accordingly, highly called for to ensure rapid detection of the pathogenic bacteria, particularly Escherichia coli. The current manuscript, accordingly, reports the use of silane-functionalized glass matrices and antibody-conjugated cadmium telluride (CdTe) quantum dots (QDs) for efficient detection of E. coli. Synthesis of QDs (size: 5.4-6.8 nm) using mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) stabilizer yielded stable photoluminescence (∼62%), corroborating superior fluorescent characteristics. A test sample, when added to antibody-conjugated matrices, followed by antibody-conjugated CdTe-MPA QDs, formed a pathogen-antibody QDs complex. The latter, during confocal microscopy, demonstrated rapid detection of the selectively captured pathogenic bacteria (10 microorganism cells/10 μL) with enhanced sensitivity and specificity. The work, overall, encompasses establishment and design of an innovative detection platform in microbial diagnostics for rapid capturing of pathogens in water and food samples.

Mercury (Hg2+) Detection in Aqueous Media, Photocatalyst, and Antibacterial Applications of CdTe/ZnS Quantum Dots

In the present work, CdTe/ZnS high luminescence quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized by a facile, fast, one-pot, and room temperature photochemical method. Synthesized QDs were characterized by different structural and optical analyses such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman, photoluminescence (PL) and UV-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopies. The results confirmed the successful growth of the ZnS shell and formation of CdTe/ZnS core/shell structure. CdTe/ZnS prepared QDs indicated a PL quantum yield of about 51%. These high luminescence QDs were used for detection of Hg²⁺ ions in aqueous media, as catalyst for photodegradation of different organic dyes, and as antibacterial material for the inhibition of bacterial growth. PL intensity of the CdTe/ZnS QDs was completely quenched after addition of 1 m molar Hg²⁺in to the media. Photocatalyst activity of CdTe/ZnS QDs was studied by rhodamine b, methylene blue, and methylene orange as organic dyes under both the sun and UV illuminations, and results showed that CdTe/ZnS QDs had the best photocatalyst activity for methylene blue degradation under UV irradiation and radical scavenger results indicated that electrons have a main role in photodegradation of methylene blue dye by CdTe/ZnS QDs under UV illumination. Antibacterial effects of CdTe/ZnS QDs evaluated by Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC), and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) methods against two strains of bacteria. The results of the antibacterial test showed that CdTe/ZnS could inhibit bacterial growth in Bacillus cereus (Gram-positive) and Escherichia coli (Gram-negative G) bacteria.

Systematic synthesis of different-sized AgInS2/GaSxnanocrystals for emitting the strong and narrow excitonic luminescence

This paper presents for the first time the systematic synthesis of AgInS₂(AIS) nanocrystals (NCs) with different sizes of 2.6-6.8 nm just by controlling only the reaction temperature. The synthesis of AIS core NCs was carried out in 2 steps: (i) synthesis of Ag₂S NCs and then (ii) partial exchange of Ag⁺with In³⁺in the template Ag₂S NCs. For step (i), Ag₂S NCs of different sizes were synthesized by reaction of the Ag and S precursors at different temperatures of 30 °C to 130 °C, for the same reaction time of 30 min. For step (ii), AIS NCs were created by the exchange of Ag⁺with In³⁺at 120 °C for 60 min. Finally, GaS_xwas shelled on AIS core NCs to produce the AgInS₂/GaS_xcore/shell structures. The synthesized AIS/GaS_xNCs demonstrate the clear excitonic absorptions and strong, narrow excitonic luminescence peaking at 530-606 nm depending on the size of AIS core NCs.

Modulating the foreign body response of implants for diabetes treatment

Diabetes Mellitus is a group of diseases characterized by high blood glucose levels due to patients' inability to produce sufficient insulin. Current interventions often require implants that can detect and correct high blood glucose levels with minimal patient intervention. However, these implantable technologies have not reached their full potential in vivo due to the foreign body response and subsequent development of fibrosis. Therefore, for long-term function of implants, modulating the initial immune response is crucial in preventing the activation and progression of the immune cascade. This review discusses the different molecular mechanisms and cellular interactions involved in the activation and progression of foreign body response (FBR) and fibrosis, specifically for implants used in diabetes. We also highlight the various strategies and techniques that have been used for immunomodulation and prevention of fibrosis. We investigate how these general strategies have been applied to implants used for the treatment of diabetes, offering insights on how these devices can be further modified to circumvent FBR and fibrosis.

Short-term assessment of cadmium toxicity and uptake from different types of Cd-based Quantum Dots in the model plant Allium cepa L

We report on the toxicity and bioaccumulation of three different types of Cd-based quantum dots (QDs), dispersed in aqueous medium, for a model plant Allium cepa L. It is believed that encapsulation of nanoparticles should reduce their toxicity and increase their stability in different environments; in this work we studied how QD encapsulation affects their phytotoxicity. Core, core/shell, and core/shell/shell QDs (CdTe, CdTe/ZnS, and CdTe/CdS/ZnS QDs capped by 2-mercaptopropionic acid) were tested and CdCl₂ was used as a positive control. After 24-h and 72-h exposure, total Cd content (M_Cd) and bioaccumulation factors (BAFs) were determined in all parts of A. cepa plants (roots, bulb, shoot), and the total length of the root system was monitored as a toxicity end-point. Measurements of total Cd content versus free Cd²⁺ content (with Differential Pulse Voltammetry, DPV) in exposure media showed differences in chemical stability of the three QD types. Correspondingly, selected QDs showed different toxicity for A. cepa and different Cd bioaccumulation patterns. CdTe QDs were the most toxic; their effect was similar to CdCl₂ due to the release of free Cd²⁺, which was confirmed by the DPV measurements. Plants exposed to CdTe QDs also bioaccumulated the most Cd among all QD exposure groups. CdTe/ZnS QDs showed no toxicity and very low bioaccumulation of Cd in A. cepa; the main source of measured Cd in the plants were QDs adsorbed on their roots, which was confirmed by fluorescence microscopy. On the contrary, CdTe/CdS/ZnS QD toxicity and bioaccumulation patterns were similar to those of CdTe QDs and pointed to unstable CdS/ZnS shells.

Thermal sensing with CdTe/CdS/ZnS quantum dots in human umbilical vein endothelial cells

An experimental methodology is presented to measure the temperature variation in cells with the usage of CdTe/CdS/ZnS core/shell/shell quantum dots as nanothermometers.

Recent advances in counter electrodes of quantum dot-sensitized solar cells

The recent progress in the development of counter electrodes (CEs) is reviewed, and the key issues for the materials, structures and performance evaluation of CEs are also addressed.

Aqueous synthesis of color tunable Cu doped Zn–In–S/ZnS nanoparticles in the whole visible region for cellular imaging

Cu doped Zn–In–S/ZnS QDs were synthesized for labeling the cytoplasm and their multiple peak emission mechanisms were proposed.

One-pot aqueous synthesis of highly strained CdTe/CdS/ZnS nanocrystals and their interactions with cells

An aqueous approach enhancing the properties of small-core/thick-shell CdTe/CdS nanocrystals by deposition of an outer ZnS shell was developed. The as-prepared nanocrystals were conjugated with aptamer for the targeted imaging of cancer cells.

A Au nanoflower@SiO2@CdTe/CdS/ZnS quantum dot multi-functional nanoprobe for photothermal treatment and cellular imaging

A Au nanoflower@SiO₂@CdTe/CdS/ZnS quantum dot multi-functional nanoprobe for photothermal treatment and cellular imaging.

Nanomechanics of lipid encapsulated microbubbles with functional coatings

Microbubbles (MBs) are increasingly being proposed as delivery vehicles for targeted therapeutics, as well as being contrast agents for ultrasound imaging. MBs formed with a lipid shell are promising candidates due to their biocompatibility and the opportunity for surface functionalization, both for specific targeting of tissues and as a means to tune their mechanical response for localized ultrasound induced destruction in vivo. Herein, we acquired force-deformation data on coated lipid MBs using tip-less microcantilevers in an atomic force microscope. Model lipid MBs were designed to test the effects of adding a functional coating on the outside of the lipid leaflet, including a protein coat (streptavidin) or the addition of quantum dots (Q-dots) as optical reporters. MBs (~3 μm diameter) were repeatedly compressed for deformations up to ~50% to obtain a full bubble response. Addition of a coating increased the initial deformation stiffness related to shell bending ~2-fold for streptavidin and ∼3-fold for Q-dots. The presence of a polyethylene glycol (PEG) linker in between the lipid and functional coating, led to enhanced stiffening at high deformations. The plasticity index has been determined and only those MBs that included the PEG linker showed a force dependent short time-scale (<~1s) plasticity. This study demonstrates modulation of the mechanical response of biocompatible MBs through the addition of functional coatings necessary for rationale design of therapeutic lipid MBs for targeted drug delivery.

Expanding 3D geometry for enhanced on-chip microbubble production and single step formation of liposome modified microbubbles

Micron sized, lipid stabilized bubbles of gas are of interest as contrast agents for ultra-sound (US) imaging and increasingly as delivery vehicles for targeted, triggered, therapeutic delivery. Microfluidics provides a reproducible means for microbubble production and surface functionalisation. In this study, microbubbles are generated on chip using flow-focussing microfluidic devices that combine streams of gas and liquid through a nozzle a few microns wide and then subjecting the two phases to a downstream pressure drop. While microfluidics has successfully demonstrated the generation of monodisperse bubble populations, these approaches inherently produce low bubble counts. We introduce a new micro-spray flow regime that generates consistently high bubble concentrations that are more clinically relevant compared to traditional monodisperse bubble populations. Final bubble concentrations produced by the micro-spray regime were up to 10(10) bubbles mL(-1). The technique is shown to be highly reproducible and by using multiplexed chip arrays, the time taken to produce one millilitre of sample containing 10(10) bubbles mL(-1) was ∼10 min. Further, we also demonstrate that it is possible to attach liposomes, loaded with quantum dots (QDs) or fluorescein, in a single step during MBs formation.