Premium
Organic–Inorganic Interface‐Induced Multi‐Fluorescence of MgO Nanocrystal Clusters and Their Applications in Cellular Imaging
Author(s) -
Xie Shuifen,
Bao Shixiong,
Ouyang Junjie,
Zhou Xi,
Kuang Qin,
Xie Zhaoxiong,
Zheng Lansun
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
chemistry – a european journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.687
H-Index - 242
eISSN - 1521-3765
pISSN - 0947-6539
DOI - 10.1002/chem.201303927
Subject(s) - nanocrystal , fluorescence , interface (matter) , materials science , nanotechnology , fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy , optoelectronics , optics , physics , composite material , capillary number , capillary action
Surface functionalization of inorganic nanomaterials through chemical binding of organic ligands on the surface unsaturated atoms, forming unique organic–inorganic interfaces, is a powerful approach for creating special functions for inorganic nanomaterials. Herein, we report the synthesis of hierarchical MgO nanocrystal clusters (NCs) with an organic–inorganic interface induced multi‐fluorescence and their application as new alternative labels for cellular imaging. The synthetic method was established by a dissolution and regrowth process with the assistance of carboxylic acid, in which the as‐prepared MgO NCs were modified with carboxylic groups at the coordinatively unsaturated atoms of the surface. By introducing acetic acid to partially replace oleic acid in the reaction, the optical absorption of the produced MgO NCs was progressively engineered from the UV to the visible region. Importantly, with wider and continuous absorption profile, those MgO NCs presented bright and tunable multicolor emissions from blue‐violet to green and yellow, with the highest absolute quantum yield up to (33±1) %. The overlap for the energy levels of the inorganic–organic interface and low‐coordinated states stimulated a unique fluorescence resonance energy transfer phenomenon. Considering the potential application in cellular imaging, such multi‐fluorescent MgO NCs were further encapsulated with a silica shell to improve the water solubility and stability. As expected, the as‐formed MgO@SiO 2 NCs possessed great biocompatibility and high performance in cellular imaging.