Boosting the Near-Infrared Emission of Ag₂S Nanoparticles by a Controllable Surface Treatment for Bioimaging Applications.

ABSTRACT: Ag₂S nanoparticles are the staple for high-resolution preclinical imaging and sensing owing to their photochemical stability, low toxicity, and photoluminescence (PL) in the second near-infrared biological window. Unfortunately, Ag₂S nanoparticles exhibit a low PL efficiency attributed to their defective surface chemistry, which curbs their translation into the clinics. To address this shortcoming, we present a simple methodology that allows to improve the PL quantum yield from 2 to 10%, which is accompanied by a PL lifetime lengthening from 0.7 to 3.8 μs. Elemental mapping and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicate that the PL enhancement is related to the partial removal of sulfur atoms from the nanoparticle's surface, reducing surface traps responsible for nonra

SUBMITTER: Gutierrez IZ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8815038 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature