Synthesis strategies and application of ternary quantum dots — in cancer therapy

Abstract

Semiconductor nanoparticles also known as quantum dots (QDs) have continued to receive more attention from researchers due to their unique optical, magnetic and photo physical properties which made them useful as biomedical materials, solar cells, catalyst etc. However, ternary I-III-VI QDs have shown to be a safer alternative to the binary II-VI or IV-VI QDs due to the absent of heavy toxic elements such as Cd and Pb. Cancer management and therapy in Africa has been bedevilled by a lot of challenges such as inaccurate diagnosis and ineffective therapeutic methods. Therefore, the need to develop an appropriate approach for cancer detection and treatment is of paramount importance. Tunable optical properties and absorption in the near infra-red region of the ternary QDs makes them useful as fluorescent probes in cancer detection and treatment. They have the ability to detect specific cancer cells including those that are not easily detected by modern imaging technique. Also, properties such as non-bleaching, stability, water solubility etc. made them a desirable fluorophore when compared to conventional dyes. Most cancer drugs suffer from inherent shortcomings such as limited absorption, insolubility and aggregation. However, these shortcomings can be overcome when these drugs are applied in form of conjugated systems. The use of QDs as conjugates has revolutionise the treatment of cancer in the 21st century. This review provides information about the synthesis strategies, optical properties, hydrophilization and bioconjugation of ternary I-III-VI QDs. Furthermore, we described the various biomedical applications in biosensors, bioimaging, drug delivery and phototherapeutic techniques. Finally, we looked at the challenges and future perspective of these QDs in cancer management.

Targeted Delivery Methods for Anticancer Drugs

“…In addition to drug delivery, quantum dots can visualize cancer cells due to their unique optical properties, which derive from quantum and other effects [155]. The quantum dots used in biomedicine typically consist of a core and a coating with the core imparting optical properties to the system and the coating performing a protective function, which enables the surface to be functionalized with various ligands and is responsible for water solubility [156]. The quantum-dot core may be composed of cadmium compounds, such as cadmium selenide (CdSe), cadmium sulfide (CdS), and cadmium telluride (CdTe), and these quantum dots have shown notable results as drug carriers [157][158][159].…”

Synthetic Approaches, Modification Strategies and the Application of Quantum Dots in the Sensing of Priority Pollutants

“…However, there have been challenges in synthesizing ternary QDs due to the uncontrolled reactivity of the cationic precursors of In 3+ and Ag + or Cu + , which can lead to the formation of undesired products such as indium sulfides. Different studies on their synthesis have shown that this challenge can be overcome by (1) the use of dual stabilizers and (2) the use of a single precursor (that can produce both In and Cu or Ag) [27]. Furthermore, the reactivity of the cationic precursors in an organic medium can be balanced through the use of either single stabilizer or dual stabilizers [28].…”

“…The effective detection and differentiation of pollutants can be done by conjugating QDs to different molecules such as graphene derivatives, polymers, proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, etc. [27]. Peveler et al studied the multi-channel detection and differentiation of explosives [63].…”

Enhancing the FRET by tuning the bandgap of acceptor ternary ZnCdS quantum dots

“…21 Moreover, binary QDs mostly encompass toxic metals which also restrict their expediency. Nonetheless, ternary QDs are considered potential substitutes for binary QDs as they have high PLQY 22 with a low level of toxicity. The commonly used biocompatible ternary QDs involve AgInS, CuInS, and AgCuS.…”