Optimizing the aqueous phase synthesis of CdTe quantum dots using mixed-ligands system and their applications for imaging of live cancer cells and tumors in vivo

Quantum dots (QDs) exhibit unique optical properties including size-tunable fluorescence, superior brightness, broad absorption and tiny emission bandwidth. These properties have made QDs promising candidates for bioimaging and biosensing applications. In this work, CdTe QDs were synthesized in aqueous phase using both mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) and Cysteine (Cys) as capping agents. Growth kinetics and optical properties of the resulted QDs were found to be dependent on both species and concentration of surfactant molecules. Considering the distinct nature and advantages of MPA and Cys, a mixed-ligands system was proposed as a potential approach to fabricate QDs with specific optical property and functions for in vitro and in vivo bioimaging applications.