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Inthis article, ionic liquid-functionalized carbon nanodots (IL-CDs)were produced in a simple manner by electrochemical exfoliation ofgraphite rods in the presence of an amino-terminated ionic liquid,and their preliminary applications were exploited. TEM and AFM resultsshowed that these IL-CDs are about 2.6 nm in diameter. The small-sizedIL-CDs have strong photoluminescence, with a quantum yield of about11.3%, and could be used for cell imaging. Moreover, the IL-CDs exhibitgood electron transfer properties and catalytic activities for O2and H2O2reduction. Additionally, theas-prepared IL-CDs can be applied as a matrix for immobilizing enzymes(glucose oxidase) to construct biosensors. Due to these favorableproperties, IL-CDs will find promising practical applications in electrocatalysis,biosensing, and bioimaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we describe a solutionprocedure for the preparationand surface modification of photostable colloidal silicon quantumdots (SiQDs) for imaging of cancer cells. Photoluminescent SiQDs weresynthesized by reduction of halogenated silane precursors using amicroemulsion process. It was shown that 1,8-nonadiyne molecules couldbe grafted onto the surface of hydrogen-terminated SiQDs via ultraviolet(UV)-promoted hydrosilylation, demonstrated by Fourier transform infraredspectroscopy (FTIR) measurements. In addition, various azide moleculeswere coupled onto nonadiyne-functionalized particles, rendering particlesdispersible in selected polar and nonpolar solvents. The photoluminescenceof functionalized SiQDs was stable against photobleaching and didnot vary appreciably within biologically applicable pH and temperatureranges. To demonstrate compatibility with biological systems, water-solubleSiQDs were used for fluorescent imaging of HeLa cells. In addition,the SiQDs were shown to be non-cytotoxic at concentrations up to 240μg/mL. The results presented herein provide good evidence forthe versatility of functionalized SiQDs for fluorescent bioimagingapplication. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]