RESUMO
Ag2S semiconductor nanoparticles (NPs) are near-infrared luminescent probes with outstanding properties (good biocompatibility, optimum spectral operation range, and easy biofunctionalization) that make them ideal probes for in vivo imaging. Ag2S NPs have, indeed, made possible amazing challenges including in vivo brain imaging and advanced diagnosis of the cardiovascular system. Despite the continuous redesign of synthesis routes, the emission quantum yield (QY) of Ag2S NPs is typically below 0.2%. This leads to a low luminescent brightness that avoids their translation into the clinics. In this work, an innovative synthetic methodology that permits a 10-fold increment in the absolute QY from 0.2 up to 2.3% is presented. Such an increment in the QY is accompanied by an enlargement of photoluminescence lifetimes from 184 to 1200 ns. The optimized synthetic route presented here is based on a fine control over both the Ag core and the Ag/S ratio within the NPs. Such control reduces the density of structural defects and decreases the nonradiative pathways. In addition, we demonstrate that the superior performance of the Ag2S NPs allows for high-contrast in vivo bioimaging.
Assuntos
Corantes Fluorescentes/química , Nanopartículas Metálicas/química , Pontos Quânticos/química , Prata/química , Abdome/diagnóstico por imagem , Animais , Feminino , Corantes Fluorescentes/administração & dosagem , Membro Posterior/diagnóstico por imagem , Nanopartículas Metálicas/administração & dosagem , Camundongos , Camundongos Nus , Pontos Quânticos/administração & dosagem , Prata/administração & dosagem , Espectroscopia de Luz Próxima ao InfravermelhoRESUMO
Correction for 'Perspectives for Ag2S NIR-II nanoparticles in biomedicine: from imaging to multifunctionality' by Yingli Shen, et al., Nanoscale, 2019, DOI: 10.1039/c9nr05733a.
RESUMO
Research on near-infrared (NIR) bioimaging has progressed very quickly in the past few years, as fluorescence imaging is reaching a credible implementation as a preclinical technique. The applications of NIR bioimaging in theranostics have contributed to its increasing impact. This has brought about the development of novel technologies and, simultaneously, of new contrast agents capable of acting as efficient NIR optical probes. Among these probes, Ag2S nanoparticles (NPs) have attracted increasing attention due to their temperature-sensitive NIR-II emission, which can be exploited for deep-tissue imaging and thermometry, and their heat delivery capabilities. This multifunctionality makes Ag2S NPs ideal candidates for theranostics. This review presents a critical analysis of the synthesis routes, properties and optical features of Ag2S NPs. We also discuss the latest and most remarkable achievements enabled by these NPs in preclinical imaging and theranostics, together with a critical assessment of their potential to face forthcoming challenges in biomedicine.