In situ probing of intracellular pH by fluorescence from inorganic nanoparticles

Intracellular pH (pH_i) plays a critical role in the physiological processes of cells. Nanoscale sensors based on pH-sensitive fluorescent proteins attached on nanoparticles (NPs) have been designed but inorganic NP-dependent fluorescent nanosensors have not yet been explored. Herein we describe a pH sensitive inorganic semiconductor fluorescent probe based on ultrathin 3C-SiC NPs which can effectively monitor pH in the range of 5.6-7.4 by taking advantage of the linear dependence between the fluorescent intensity ratio of the surface OH^- and H⁺ bonding states to band-to-band recombination and pH. Detection of pH_i is demonstrated in living HeLa cells. In particular, pH_i measurements during apoptosis confirm the validity and sensitivity of this technique in monitoring real-time changes in the intracellular environment. Toxicity assessment and confocal laser scanning microscopy indicate that the 3C-SiC NPs have low cytotoxicity and are compatible with living cells. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.