title: Deoxycholate as an efficient coating agent for hydrophilic silicon nanocrystals.
abstract: Silicon nanocrystals were made hydrophilic by 10-undecenoic acid grafting and were then coated with sodium deoxycholate, a detergent-like compound belonging to the bile acid class which is crucial for absorption of lipids in the small intestine. The resulting silicon nanocrystals have an average diameter of 3-5 nm, can be dispersed in aqueous solutions and show stable photoluminescence. Coating with non-biological surfactants, which are dangerous for cell safety, was investigated for comparison. Results indicate that deoxycholate is a stabilizer of luminescent silicon nanocrystals. Deoxycholate coated nanocrystals appear suitable for applications as multifunctional probes in biomedicine.
authors: Department of Physics, University of Trento, Trento, Italy.
authors: Elena
authors: E
authors: Froner
authors: Elvira
authors: E
authors: D'Amato
authors: Roberta
authors: R
authors: Adamo
authors: Nikola
authors: N
authors: Prtljaga
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Larcheri
authors: Lorenzo
authors: L
authors: Pavesi
authors: Adelio
authors: A
authors: Rigo
authors: Cristina
authors: C
authors: Potrich
authors: Marina
authors: M
authors: Scarpa
mesh_terms: D003840:Deoxycholic Acid / Q000737:chemistry*; D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated / Q000737:chemistry; D057927:Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions; D049449:Luminescence; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D012825:Silicon / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties; D014476:Undecylenic Acids
chemical_list: D005229:Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated; D014476:Undecylenic Acids; D003840:Deoxycholic Acid; C538763:undecylenic acid; D012825:Silicon