10.1007/s40097-022-00501-5

Ultra-bright green carbon dots with excitation-independent fluorescence for bioimaging

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  • Amandeep Singh1,
  • Zhi Qu2,
  • Astha Sharma3,
  • Mandeep Singh4,
  • Brian Tse5,
  • Kostya Ostrikov1,
  • Amirali Popat6,
  • Prashant Sonar1,
  • Tushar Kumeria*7,
  1. School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, 4000, AU Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, 4000, AU
  2. Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, QLD, 4000, AU
  3. School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, AU
  4. School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, VIC, 3000, AU
  5. Preclinical Imaging Facility, Translational Research Institute, Brisbane, 4102, AU
  6. School of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, AU
  7. School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, AU School of Pharmacy, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, AU Australian Centre for Nanomedicine, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, AU
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Published in Issue 23-06-2022

How to Cite

Singh, A., Qu, Z., Sharma, A., Singh, M., Tse, B., Ostrikov, K., Popat, A., Sonar, P., & Kumeria, T. (2022). Ultra-bright green carbon dots with excitation-independent fluorescence for bioimaging. Journal of Nanostructure in Chemistry, 13(3 (June 2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40097-022-00501-5
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Abstract

Abstract Current and future diagnostics urgently need imaging agents that are non-toxic and superior to clinically used small molecule dyes. Herein, we have developed luminescent green light-emitting carbon dots (GCDs) via a single-step hydrothermal reaction using a low-cost chemical precursor, p-toluenesulfonic acid. The GCDs exhibit excitation-independent fluorescence (FL) emission with the photoluminescence quantum yield of 70% and no FL quenching up to 1.25 mg/mL. The GCDs exhibit negligible cytotoxicity up to 250 µg/mL concentration in RAW 264.7 cells. Interestingly, GCDs exhibit an excitation-independent and concentration-dependent fluorescence emission behaviour. In vitro, the peak emission was obtained at 520 nm using the excitation at 430 nm. Whereas FL intensity increased with increasing concentration up to 1.25 mg/mL and a sharp decrease in FL intensity is observed upon further increasing the concentration of GCDs. Upon subcutaneously injecting the GCDs into a euthanized mouse, a similar concentration-dependent FL behaviour is evident. Background autofluorescence hinders the use of the GCDs at 420 nm excitation, however, a strong FL emission at 520 nm can be obtained by exciting subcutaneously injected GCDs at 465 nm—demonstrating excitation-independent emission characteristics. The above results indicate the potential of the non-toxic, low-cost carbon dots for diverse bioimaging applications. Graphical abstract Ultra-bright green-emitting carbon dots (GCDs) with photoluminescence quantum yield of 70% were synthesized using p-toluenesulfonic acid and ethylenediamine as precursors. The GCDs were subcutaneously injected into fresh mouse cadaver for fluorescence (FL)bioimaging, showing dose-dependent FL intensity behaviour.

Keywords

  • Fluorescence imaging,
  • Quantum dots,
  • Green fluorescent carbon dots,
  • Bioimaging,
  • Theranostics
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