Abstract
Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) have shown great promise as fluorescent probes for molecular, cellular and in-vivo imaging. However, the fluorescence of traditional polymer-encapsulated QDs is often quenched by proton-induced etching in acidic environments. This is a major problem for QD applications in the gastrointestinal tract because the gastric (stomach) environment is strongly acidic (pH 1-2). Here we report the use of proton-resistant surface coatings to stabilize QD fluorescence under acidic conditions. Using both hyperbranched polyethylenimine (PEI) and its polyethylene glycol derivative (PEG grafted PEI), we show that the fluorescence of core-shell CdSe/CdS/ZnS QDs is effectively protected from quenching in simulated gastric fluids. In comparison, amphiphilic lipid or polymer coatings provide no protection under similarly acidic conditions. The proton-resistant QDs are found to cause moderate membrane damage to cultured epithelial cells, but PEGylation (PEG grafting) can be used to reduce cellular toxicity and to improved nanoparticle stability.