Time- and Spectrally-Resolved Photoluminescence Study of Alloyed Cd_xZn_1−xSe_yS_1−y/ZnS Quantum Dots and Their Nanocomposites with SPIONs in Living Cells

Abstract

Magnetic-luminescent composites based on semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) can serve as a platform combining visualization and therapy. Here, we report the construction of QD-SPION nanocomposites based on synthesized SPIONs and alloyed QDs (CdxZn1−xSeyS1−y)/ZnS solubilized with L-cysteine molecules. The study of the spectral-luminescence characteristics, the kinetics of luminescence decay show the composite’s stability in a solution. After incubation with HeLa cells, QDs, SPIONs, and their composites form clusters on the cell surface and associate with endosomes inside the cells. Component-wise analysis of the photoluminescence decay of cell-associated QDs/SPIONs provides information about their localization and aggregate status.

Keywords

• quantum dots
• SPIONs
• magnetic-luminescent composites
• photoluminescence
• theranostics