Abstract
A series of water-soluble CdTe-core quantum dots (QDs) with diameters below 5.0 nm andfunctionalized at their surface with polar ligands such as thioglycolic acid (TGA) or thetripeptide glutathione (GSH) were synthesized and characterized by UV–vis absorptionspectroscopy, their photoluminescence measurements, atomic force microscopy (AFM) andtransmission electron microscopy (TEM). Because cell elongations and growth inhibitionswere observed during labeling experiments, the cytotoxicity of CdTe-core QDs wasinvestigated. Using growth inhibition tests combining different bacterial strains withdifferent CdTe-core QDs, it was possible to demonstrate that the cytotoxicity ofQDs towards bacteria depends on exposure concentrations, surface chemistry andcoating, and that it varied with the strain considered. Growth inhibition testscarried out with heavy-metal-resistant bacteria, as well as ICP-AES analyses ofcadmium species released by CdTe@TGA QDs, demonstrated that the leakage ofCd2+ is notthe main source of QD toxicity. Our study suggests that QD cytotoxicity is rather due to the formationof TeO2 and probably the existence of CdO formed by surface oxidation. In this respect, QDspossessing a CdO shell appeared very toxic.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
