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In Vivo Biotransformations of Indium Phosphide Quantum Dots Revealed by X‑Ray Microspectroscopy
(2019)
Many attempts have been made to synthesize cadmium-free quantum dots
(QDs), using nontoxic materials, while preserving their unique optical properties. Despite impressive advances, gaps in knowledge of their intracellular fate, persistence, and excretion from the targeted cell or organism still exist, precluding clinical applications. In this study, we used a simple model organism (Hydra vulgaris) presenting a tissue grade of organization to determine the biodistribution of indium phosphide (InP)-based QDs by X-ray fluorescence imaging. By complementing elemental imaging with In L-edge X-ray absorption near edge structure, unique information on in situ chemical speciation was obtained. Unexpectedly, spectral profiles indicated the appearance of In−O species within the first hour post-treatment, suggesting a fast degradation of the InP QD core in vivo, induced mainly by carboxylate groups. Moreover, no significant difference in the behavior of bare core QDs and QDs capped with an inorganic Zn(Se,S) gradient shell was observed. The results paralleled those achieved by treating animals with an equivalent dose of indium salts, confirming the preferred bonding type of In3+ ions in Hydra tissues. In conclusion, by focusing on the chemical identity of indium along a 48 h long journey of QDs in Hydra, we describe a fast degradation process, in the absence of evident toxicity. These data pave the way to new paradigms to be considered in the biocompatibility assessment of QD-based biomedical applications, with greater emphasis on the dynamics of in vivo biotransformations, and suggest strategies to drive the design of future applied materials for nanotechnology-based diagnosis and therapeutics.
Gallium – a versatile element for tuning the photoluminescence properties of InP quantum dots
(2019)
With the goal to tune the emission properties of colloidal InP quantum dots, the incorporation of Ga was explored. Unexpectedly, depending on the nature of the gallium precursor, the photoluminescence shifted either to the red (gallium oleate) or to the blue (gallium acetylacetonate). In the first case, larger-sized InP/GaP core/shell nanocrystals were formed, while in the second case the formation of an InGaP alloy structure enabled the blue range of emission (475 nm) to be accessed.
Eu2+ is used to replace toxic Pb2+ in metal halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs). The synthesis implies injection of cesium oleate into a solution of europium (II) bromide at an experimentally determined optimum temperature of 130 ○C and a reaction time of 60 s. Structural analysis indicates the formation of spherical CsEuBr3 nanoparticles with a mean size of 43 ± 7 nm. Using EuI2 instead of EuBr2 leads to the formation of 18-nm CsI nanoparticles, while EuCl2 does not show any reaction with cesium oleate forming 80-nm EuCl2 nanoparticles.
The obtained CsEuBr3 NCs exhibit bright blue emission at 413 nm (FWHM 30 nm) with a room temperature photoluminescence quantum yield of 39%. The emission originates from the Laporte-allowed 4f7–4f65d1 transition of Eu2+ and shows a PL decay time of 263 ns.
The long-term stability of the optical properties is observed, making inorganic lead-free CsEuBr3 NCs promising deep blue emitters for optoelectronics.