Microwave‐Assisted Synthesis of Quasi‐Pyramidal CuInS2–ZnS Nanocrystals for Enhanced Near‐Infrared Targeted Fluorescent Imaging of Subcutaneous Melanoma. Issue 1 (29th October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chetty, S. Shashank; Praneetha, S.; Vadivel Murugan, A.; Govarthanan, Kavitha; Verma, Rama S.
• Is Part Of: Advanced biosystems. Volume 3:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2018-10-29
• Subjects: CuInS2–ZnS nanocrystals -- microwave‐solvothermal method -- nanoalloying approach -- nano‐bioprobe -- targeted bioimaging; Biological systems -- Periodicals; Biotechnology -- Periodicals; Bioengineering -- Periodicals; Biomedical engineering -- Periodicals; Biological Science Disciplines; Periodicals; Periodicals; 660.6
• DOI: 10.1002/adbi.201800127
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2366-7478

Abstract

Abstract: Near‐infrared (NIR) fluorescent CuInS2 –ZnS nanocrystals (CIZS NCs) are synthesized via an ultra‐fast, non‐injection microwave (MW)‐assisted nanoalloying process at 230 ºC within 5 min using 1‐dodecanethiol (DDT) as both the sulfur source and solvent under solvothermal (ST) condition. The structural and surface analyses reveal that DDT‐functionalized CIZS NCs exhibit quasi‐pyramids of tetragonal‐phase with well‐defined facets. The DDT‐functionalized CIZS NCs present a photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 76% and a long‐lived fluorescence lifetime of ≈0.6 µs in organic‐phase. Subsequently, DDT‐functionalized CIZS NCs are phase‐transferred via ligand‐exchange using 11‐mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) into water‐soluble MUA–CIZS NCs that exhibit a substantial PLQY of 55%. In addition, the NIR‐fluorescent MUA‐functionalized CIZS NCs in conjugation with folic acid (FA), as a tumor‐targeting ligand, demonstrates enhanced tumor‐targeted imaging ability. The FA–MUA–CIZS NC conjugates exhibit a cell viability of ≈75% even at the highest concentration of 1 mg mL –1 and a labeling efficiency of 95.4%. The in vivo imaging results corroborate that FA–MUA–CIZS NCs conjugates are actively targeted to folate receptor‐positive B16F10 tumor‐bearing C57BL/6 mice in 2 h. The histopathological and hematological studies confirm no significant changes in tissue architecture and blood biochemical parameters. The confocal microscopy studies reveal deep penetration and uniform distribution of FA–MUA–CIZS NCs conjugates in subcutaneous melanoma. Abstract : Ultra‐fast, single‐pot microwave‐solvothermal (MW‐ST) synthesis of near‐infrared (NIR) highly fluorescent 1‐dodecanethiol (DDT)‐functionalized CuInS2 –ZnS nanocrystals (CIZS NCs) and their subsequent phase transformation via ligand exchange using mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) for folic acid (FA) conjugation to prepare FA–MUA–CIZS NCs conjugates as an efficient nano‐bioprobe for enhanced folate receptor–targeted subcutaneous melanoma imaging is presented.