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Aqueous red-emitting silicon nanoparticles for cellular imaging: Consequences of protecting against surface passivation by hydroxide and water for stable red emission

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 January 2013

Sheng-Kuei Chiu ,
Beth A. Manhat ,
William J.I. DeBenedetti ,
Anna L. Brown ,
Katye Fichter ,
Tania Vu ,
Micah Eastman ,
Jun Jiao  and
Andrea M. Goforth
Sheng-Kuei Chiu
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon 97201
Beth A. Manhat
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon 97201
William J.I. DeBenedetti
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon 97201
Anna L. Brown
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon 97201
Katye Fichter
Affiliation:
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, Oregon 97239
Tania Vu
Affiliation:
Department of Biomedical Engineering, Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, Oregon 97239
Micah Eastman
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon 97201
Jun Jiao
Affiliation:
Department of Physics, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon 97201
Andrea M. Goforth*
Affiliation:
Department of Chemistry, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon 97201
*
a)Address all correspondence to this author. e-mail: [email protected]
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Abstract

Stable, aqueous, red-to-near infrared emission is critical for the use of silicon nanoparticles (Si NPs) in biological fluorescence assays, but such Si NPs have been difficult to attain. We report a synthesis and surface modification strategy that protects Si NPs and preserves red photoluminescence (PL) in water for more than 6 mo. The Si NPs were synthesized via high temperature reaction, liberated from an oxide matrix, and functionalized via hydrosilylation to yield hydrophobic particles. The hydrophobic Si NPs were phase transferred to water using the surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) with retention of red PL. CTAB apparently serves a double role in providing stable, aqueous, red-emitting Si NPs by (i) forming a hydrophobic barrier between the Si NPs and water and (ii) providing aqueous colloidal stability via the polar head group. We demonstrate preservation of the aqueous red emission of these Si NPs in biological media and examine the effects of pH on emission color.

Keywords

silicon nanoparticlered fluorescencePMT detector sensitivitysemiconductor nanoparticleaqueous colloidfluorescent imaging agentcell uptake study
Type
Articles
Information
Journal of Materials Research , Volume 28 , Issue 2: Focus Section: Silicon-based Nanoparticles for Biosensing and Biomedical Applications , 28 January 2013 , pp. 216 - 230
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2012

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References

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