RT Journal Article
T1 Boosting the Near-Infrared Emission of Ag2S Nanoparticles by a Controllable Surface Treatment for Bioimaging Applications
A1 Zabala Gutiérrez, Irene
A1 Gerke, Christoph
A1 Shen, Yingli
A1 Ximendes, Erving Clayton
A1 Manso Silvan, Miguel
A1 Marin, Riccardo
A1 Jaque García, Daniel
A1 Gómez Calderón, Óscar
A1 Melle Hernández, Sonia
A1 Rubio Retama, Jorge
AB Ag2S nanoparticles are the staple for high-resolution preclinical imaging and sensing owing to their photochemical stability, low toxicity, and photoluminescence (PL) in the second near-infrared biological window. Unfortunately, Ag2S nanoparticles exhibit a low PL efficiency attributed to their defective surface chemistry, which curbs their translation into the clinics. To address this shortcoming, we present a simple methodology that allows to improve the PL quantum yield from 2 to 10%, which is accompanied by a PL lifetime lengthening from 0.7 to 3.8 μs. Elemental mapping and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicate that the PL enhancement is related to the partial removal of sulfur atoms from the nanoparticle’s surface, reducing surface traps responsible for nonradiative de-excitation processes. This interpretation is further backed by theoretical modeling. The acquired knowledge about the nanoparticles’ surface chemistry is used to optimize the procedure to transfer the nanoparticles into aqueous media, obtaining water-dispersible Ag2S nanoparticles that maintain excellent PL properties. Finally, we compare the performance of these nanoparticles with other near-infrared luminescent probes in a set of in vitro and in vivo experiments, which demonstrates not only their cytocompatibility but also their superb optical properties when they are used in vivo, affording higher resolution images.
PB ACS Publications
SN 1944-8244
YR 2022
FD 2022-01
LK https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/71386
UL https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14352/71386
LA eng
NO CRUE-CSIC (Acuerdos Transformativos 2022)
NO Unión Europea. Horizonte 2020
NO Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (MINECO)
NO Comunidad de Madrid/FEDER
NO Universidad Complutense de Madrid/Banco de Santander
DS Docta Complutense
RD 2 may 2024