Quantum dots tagged poly(alkylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticles intended for bioimaging applications

Fluorescent quantum dots (QDs) tagged poly(butylcyanoacrylate) nanoparticles (PBCN) intended for cell fluorescent imaging were prepared and characterized. Highly fluorescent CdSe/CdS core-shell QDs were synthesized and successfully embedded into PBCN by interfacial polymerization in aqueous medium. Transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, and zeta potential measurements were used to characterize the novel QDs-labeled PBCN by morphology, particle size, size distribution, and zeta potential. The preliminary investigations on putative cytotoxic effect of QDs on cultured cells were performed using MTT assay. The suitability of QDs embedded in PBCN for fluorescent imaging of cells was also verified. The results obtained suggest that these hybrid nanoparticles have potentials for biological imaging applications.