Fabrication of Nontoxic Dye-Embedded Silica Particles for Live Cell Imaging Purposes

摘要

Fluorescent imaging agents are desirable components for biological imaging applications. Herein, silica particles with strong fluorescent properties have been prepared by Stober process for live cell imaging purposes. The morphological and chemical properties of synthesized dye-embedded silica particles were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Photoluminescence spectroscopy was used to investigate the room temperature fluorescence excitation and emission spectra of synthesized silica particles. It was found that this kind of fluorescent silica particles exhibits a good biocompatibility and a cellular uptake of the probes verified that they maintain well their optical properties within the intracellular environment.