Quantum dots (QDs) with favorable optical properties have been synthesized and developed in recent decades, although most are based on a toxic metal system – cadmium selenide. InP-based QDs were studied as alternatives to replace the toxic Cd-based QDs. However, the synthesis of InP-based QDs relied on air-sensitive phosphine precursors, making the synthesis route more challenging.
In our project, we initially substituted the phosphine precursor with phosphinecarboxamide, which is air-stable. This modification allowed for a one-pot reaction, streamlining the synthesis route. The colour of the synthesized InZnP/ZnS QDs was tuneable from visible green to red, with the emission wavelength ranging from 510 to 620 nm by adjusting the degassing time. Additionally, several phase transfer processes were undertaken to make the InZnP/ZnS QDs water-soluble, followed by cell imaging on Euglena cells and HeLa cells, proving the potential application of the QDs in bioimaging.
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