Bright
and Stable CdSe/CdS@SiO<sub>2</sub> Nanoparticles
Suitable for Long-Term Cell Labeling
- Publication date
- Publisher
Abstract
We report on the synthesis of luminescent
CdSe/CdS@SiO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles and their application to cell
labeling. The main novelty
of these nanoparticles is the use of newly developed “flash”
CdSe/CdS quantum dots (QDs), which are obtained through a new fast
and efficient synthesis method recently reported. These core–shell
QDs are encapsulated in silica nanoparticles through a water-in-oil
microemulsion process, resulting in CdSe/CdS@SiO<sub>2</sub> nanoparticles
with good morphology and controlled architecture. The main asset of
these luminescent nanoparticles is their high photoluminescent quantum
yield, which is equal to that of the original CdSe/CdS QDs and remains
unchanged even after several months of storage in water. Thanks to
the remarkable stability of their optical property in aqueous environment
and to their low levels of toxicity, the high potential of these nanoparticles
for long-term cell labeling is demonstrated