title: New Generation Cadmium-Free Quantum Dots for Biophotonics and Nanomedicine.
abstract: This review summarizes recent progress in the design and applications of cadmium-free quantum dots (Cd-free QDs), with an emphasis on their role in biophotonics and nanomedicine. We first present the features of Cd-free QDs and describe the physics and emergent optical properties of various types of Cd-free QDs whose applications are discussed in subsequent sections. Selected specific QD systems are introduced, followed by the preparation of these Cd-free QDs in a form useful for biological applications, including recent advances in achieving high photoluminescence quantum yield (PL QY) and tunability of emission color. Next, we summarize biophotonic applications of Cd-free QDs in optical imaging, photoacoustic imaging, sensing, optical tracking, and photothermal therapy. Research advances in the use of Cd-free QDs for nanomedicine applications are discussed, including drug/gene delivery, protein/peptide delivery, image-guided surgery, diagnostics, and medical devices. The review then considers the pharmacokinetics and biodistribution of Cd-free QDs and summarizes current studies on the in vitro and in vivo toxicity of Cd-free QDs. Finally, we provide perspectives on the overall current status, challenges, and future directions in this field.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Optoelectronics Devices and Systems of Ministry of Education/Guangdong Province, College of Optoelectronic Engineering, Shenzhen University , Shenzhen 518060, People's Republic of China.|CINTRA CNRS/NTU/THALES, UMI 3288, Research Techno Plaza, 50 Nanyang Drive, Border X Block, Singapore 637553, Singapore.
authors.forename: Gaixia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.affiliation: School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University , Singapore 639798, Singapore.|CINTRA CNRS/NTU/THALES, UMI 3288, Research Techno Plaza, 50 Nanyang Drive, Border X Block, Singapore 637553, Singapore.
authors.forename: Shuwen
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zeng
authors.affiliation: School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University , Singapore 639798, Singapore.
authors.forename: Butian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Mark T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Swihart
authors.affiliation: School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Nanyang Technological University , Singapore 639798, Singapore.
authors.forename: Ken-Tye
authors.initials: KT
authors.lastname: Yong
authors.forename: Paras N
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Prasad
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000633:toxicity; D006108:Graphite / Q000737:chemistry; D058955:Metalloids / Q000737:chemistry; D019216:Metals, Heavy / Q000737:chemistry; D050997:Nanomedicine; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D010316:Particle Size; D045663:Quantum Dots / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D058955:Metalloids; D019216:Metals, Heavy; D006108:Graphite