Center for Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Department of Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
ChemistryOpen. 2023 Oct;12(10):e202300094. doi: 10.1002/open.202300094.
The choice of capping agents used during the synthesis process of quantum dots (QDs) can significantly influence their fate and fundamental properties. Hence, choosing an appropriate capping agent is a critical step in both synthesis and biomedical application of QDs. In this research, ZnS QDs were synthesized via chemical precipitation process and three commonly employed capping agents, namely mercaptoethanol (ME), mercaptoacetic acid (MAA), and cysteamine (CA), were used to stabilize the QDs. This study was aimed to examine how these capping agents impact the physicochemical and optical characteristics of ZnS QDs, as well as their interactions with biological systems. The findings revealed that the capping agents had considerable effects on the behavior and properties of ZnS QDs. MAA-QD exhibited superior crystal lattice, smaller size, and significant quantum yield (QY). In contrast, CA-QDs demonstrated the lowest QY and the highest tendency for aggregation. ME-QDs exhibited intermediate characteristics, along with an acceptable level of cytotoxicity, rapid uptake by cells, and efficient escape from lysosomes. Consequently, it is advisable to select capping agents in accordance with the specific objectives of the research.
在量子点（QD）合成过程中使用的封端剂的选择会显著影响它们的命运和基本性质。因此，选择合适的封端剂是 QD 合成和生物医学应用的关键步骤。在这项研究中，通过化学沉淀法合成了 ZnS QD，并使用三种常用的封端剂巯基乙醇（ME）、巯基乙酸（MAA）和半胱胺（CA）来稳定 QD。本研究旨在研究这些封端剂如何影响 ZnS QD 的物理化学和光学特性，以及它们与生物系统的相互作用。研究结果表明，封端剂对 ZnS QD 的行为和性质有很大的影响。MAA-QD 表现出较好的晶格、较小的尺寸和显著的量子产率（QY）。相比之下，CA-QD 的 QY 最低，聚集倾向最高。ME-QD 则表现出中等特性，同时具有可接受的细胞毒性、快速被细胞摄取和有效从溶酶体逃逸的特性。因此，建议根据研究的具体目标选择封端剂。
