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Updated: Dec 5, 2025
Compact Quantum Dots for Single-molecule Imaging
Published on: October 9, 2012
Amino-Functionalized Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Quantum Dots for Efficient Enhancement of Two-Photon-Excitation
Wen-Shuo Kuo1,2, Tien-Sung Yeh3, Chia-Yuan Chang4
1School of Chemistry and Materials Science, Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing 210044, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China.
Background:
Although graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have received considerable research attention for their applications in various fields, the use of GQDs, such as nitrogen-doped GQDs (N-GQDs) and amino-functionalized N-GQDs (amino-N-GQDs), as photosensitizers to facilitate photodynamic therapy (PDT) has received limited research intention. To address this research gap, this study prepared novel amino-N-GQDs and investigated their properties.
Methods:
The amino-N-GQDs subjected to two-photon excitation (TPE) exhibited remarkable bactericidal capability in PDT. The bonding compositions of nitrogen and the amino-functionalized group played a critical role in their antimicrobial effects.
Results:
Compared with amino-group-free N-GQDs and amino-N-free GQDs, the amino-N-GQDs generated a higher amount of reactive oxygen species, demonstrating their superior efficacy for two-photon PDT. Additionally, the intrinsic luminescence properties and high photostability of the amino-N-GQDs demonstrate their suitability as an effective two-photon contrast agent for tracking bacteria during two-photon biomedical imaging.
Conclusion:
The amino-N-GQD and their remarkable properties may provide an efficient alternative approach for observing and easily eliminating malignant microbes in the future.
