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A dual-colored bio-marker made of doped ZnO nanocrystals

  • Y L Wu
  • , S Fu
  • , A I Y Tok
  • , X T Zeng
  • , C S Lim
  • , L C Kwek
  • , F C Y Boey

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

Abstract

Bio-compatible ZnO nanocrystals doped with Co, Cu and Ni cations, surface capped with two types of aminosilanes and titania are synthesized by a soft chemical process. Due to the small particle size (2-5 nm), surface functional groups and the high photoluminescence emissions at the UV and blue-violet wavelength ranges, bio-imaging on human osteosarcoma (Mg-63) cells and histiocytic lymphoma U-937 monocyte cells showed blue emission at the nucleus and bright turquoise emission at the cytoplasm simultaneously. This is the first report on dual-color bio-images labeled by one semiconductor nanocrystal colloidal solution. Bright green emission was detected on mung bean seedlings labeled by all the synthesized ZnO nanocrystals. Cytotoxicity tests showed that the aminosilanes capped nanoparticles are non-toxic. Quantum yields of the nanocrystals varied from 79% to 95%. The results showed the potential of the pure ZnO and Co-doped ZnO nanocrystals for live imaging of both human cells and plant systems. © 2008 IOP Publishing Ltd.
Original languageEnglish
Article number345605
JournalNanotechnology
Volume19
Issue number34
Online published16 Jul 2008
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 27 Aug 2008
Externally publishedYes

Funding

The authors would like to acknowledge the financial support by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) of Singapore to this project; to thank Ms Ma Lwin Lwin for her help in the cell culture; and to thank the Nikon Imaging Center of Singapore for the bio-imaging tests.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

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