title: Silicon nanoparticles produced by femtosecond laser ablation in water as novel contamination-free photosensitizers.
abstract: We report the synthesis of novel inorganic contamination-free photosensitizers based on colloidal silicon nanoparticles prepared by laser ablation in pure deionized water. We show that such nanoparticles are capable of generating singlet oxygen ((1)O(2)) under laser irradiation with a yield estimated at 10% of that of photofrin, which makes them a potential candidate for therapeutics, antiseptics, or disinfectants. We also discuss a model of (1)O(2) generation and the possibility for optimizing its release. Potential advantages of such novel inorganic photosensitizers include stable and nonphotobleaching (1)O(2) release, easy removal, and low dark toxicity.
authors.affiliation: Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal, Departement de Genie Physique, Laser Processing Laboratory, Case Postale 6079, Succursale Centre-ville, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3A7, Canada.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Rioux
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laferrière
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Douplik
authors.forename: Duoaud
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shah
authors.forename: Lothar
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lilge
authors.forename: Andrei V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Kabashin
authors.forename: Michel M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Meunier
mesh_terms: D004340:Drug Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D007834:Lasers; D008422:Materials Testing; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010316:Particle Size; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D017319:Photosensitizing Agents; D014867:Water