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Nonfluorescent Near-Infrared Surface-Enhanced Resonance Raman Nanoprobes with Ultrahigh Brightness and Synergistic
Caixia Qi1, Lin Shen1,2, Jin Li2
1Shandong Applied Research Center of Gold Nanotechnology (Au-SDARC), School of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering, Yantai University, 264005 Yantai, China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|November 27, 2024
Summary
Researchers developed nonfluorescent near-infrared (NIR) surface-enhanced resonance Raman (SERRS) nanoprobes using a novel quencher dye. These probes offer zero background, high sensitivity, and photostability for advanced biomedical imaging and cancer therapy.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Nanotechnology
- Spectroscopy
- Photothermal Therapy
Background:
- Near-infrared (NIR) surface-enhanced resonance Raman (SERRS) nanoprobes are widely used in biomedicine.
- Existing nanoprobes are often fluorescent due to incomplete quenching of Raman dyes, leading to high background noise.
- Suppressing fluorescence is crucial for improving resonant Raman spectroscopy imaging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop absolutely nonfluorescent NIR resonant SERRS nanoprobes.
- To investigate the mechanism behind the nonfluorescent properties.
- To evaluate the performance of these nanoprobes for cellular imaging and cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a black hole quencher (IQ1) as a Raman dye for SERRS nanoprobe development.
- Employed ultrafast spectroscopy to elucidate the nonfluorescence mechanism.
- Assessed nanoprobe sensitivity, photostability, and photothermal conversion efficiency.
Main Results:
- Developed the first absolutely nonfluorescent NIR SERRS nanoprobes.
- Demonstrated ultrafast internal conversion at the subpicosecond scale as the nonfluorescence mechanism.
- Achieved femtomolar sensitivity (100 fM) and exceptional photostability (τ = 10006 s).
- Observed a synergistic photothermal effect with 64.94% conversion efficiency.
Conclusions:
- The developed nonfluorescent SERRS nanoprobes overcome limitations of fluorescent counterparts.
- These nanoprobes enable longitudinally photostable cellular imaging.
- They offer enhanced photothermal elimination of cancer cells, paving the way for improved phototheranostics.
