Aminophosphate precursors for the synthesis of near-unity emitting InP quantum dots and their application in liver cancer diagnosis.

ABSTRACT: InP quantum dots (QDs) are a promising and environment-friendly alternative to Cd-based QDs for in vitro diagnostics and bioimaging applications. However, their poor fluorescence and stability severely limit their biological applications. Herein, we synthesize bright (∼100%) and stable InP-based core/shell QDs by using cost-effective and low-toxic phosphorus source, and then aqueous InP QDs are prepared with quantum yield over 80% by shell engineering. The immunoassay of alpha-fetoprotein can be detected in the widest analytical range of 1-1000 ng ml^-1 and the limit of detection of 0.58 ng ml^-1 by using those InP QDs-based fluorescent probes, making it the best-performing heavy metal-free detection reported so far, comparable to state-of-the-art Cd-QDs-based probes. F

SUBMITTER: Zhang Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10190939 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature