Efficient chemiluminescent ZnO nanoparticles for cellular imaging

Chemiluminescence (CL) induced by peroxalate fuel and hydrogen peroxide has been widely applied in chemical detection and bioimaging. Nevertheless, the chemiluminescent emitters in the CL are focused on organic small-molecular dyes, most of which encounter serious obstacles in practical application...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of luminescence 2020-05, Vol.221, p.117111, Article 117111
Main Authors: Liu, Zhi-Yu, Shen, Cheng-Long, Lou, Qing, Zhao, Wen-Bo, Wei, Jian-Yong, Liu, Kai-Kai, Zang, Jin-Hao, Dong, Lin, Shan, Chong-Xin
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bioimaging
Chemiluminescence
Zinc interstitial
Zinc oxide
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Summary:Chemiluminescence (CL) induced by peroxalate fuel and hydrogen peroxide has been widely applied in chemical detection and bioimaging. Nevertheless, the chemiluminescent emitters in the CL are focused on organic small-molecular dyes, most of which encounter serious obstacles in practical application due to their potential biotoxicity and low photostability. Here, bright blue CL is observed when biocompatible zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) with yellow photoluminescence (PL) are added into peroxalate and hydrogen peroxide solution, which is originated from the interaction between the zinc interstitial of ZnO NPs and the energy-rich intermediate produced in the CL process. With the modification of silane coupler, the CL quantum yield of ZnO NPs presents two orders of magnitude increase from 6.2× 10−6 to record 3.7 × 10−4 E⋅mol−1 for inorganic NPs owing to the protective effect from silicon oxide shell layer. By virtual of excellent CL ability, ZnO NPs have been firstly used as CL probes in bioimaging, which opens the way to a new design freedom for biosensor or bioimaging in the future. •Chemiluminiscence quantum yield of ZnO NPs with silane shell presents two orders of magnitude increase.•ZnO NPs with silane shell show the highest chemiluminiscence quantum yield value for the inorganic NPs.•ZnO NPs have been served as CL probes in bioimaging for the first time.•The chemiluminiscence of ZnO NPs has been clarified through the chemically initiated electron exchange.•The excitation electron of ZnO can transit from the zinc interstitial atom energy level to valence band and emit blue light.
ISSN:0022-2313
1872-7883
DOI:10.1016/j.jlumin.2020.117111