Synthesizing zero-dimensional quantum dots from their two- dimensional analogues will help us to explore their fascinating luminescent properties and thereby enhance their application in various biological and optoelectronic devices. Pyrediyne is one of the emerging carbon-based two-dimensional materials which has better electronic and charge transport properties than its predecessor, graphdiyne. Herein, we report the preparation of pyrediyne quantum dots from its two-dimensional precursor, pyrediyne via soxhlet extraction method and the results were compared with pyrediyne quantum dots obtained via conventional ultrasonication method. Average size and morphology of the as-prepared quantum dots were obtained as &lt;10 nm by High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and the lattice fringes visible in the image provided insight about the semi-crystalline nature of quantum dots, similar to their two-dimensional counterpart. Absence of sharp peaks in X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) pattern further confirms their semi-crystalline nature. As prepared quantum dots were further characterised by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (MALDI MS). Presence of oxygen-containing groups in prepared quantum dots was confirmed via Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Photophysical properties of pyrediyne quantum dots were studied using uv-visible spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy and time correlated single photon count (TCSPC). Easy and cost-effective preparation methods and properties like non-toxic nature, absence of transition metal contents, better photoluminescence quantum yield (~25%) make these quantum dots unique for biomedical applications, compared with the existing inorganic and carbon-based quantum dots. After the cell viability analysis, pyrediyne quantum dots were utilized for bioimaging of MCF7, breast cancer cells. Details of the work will be presented in the poster.

Pyrediyne quantum dots for bioimaging of cancer cells

ACS Spring 2022

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