Shape controlled quantum dot (QD)-decorated-mesoporous SiO2 (m-SiO2/QD) hollow particles for photodynamic therapy

This work reported a novel kind of CdTe quantum dot (QD) decorated mesoporous SiO2 (m-SiO2/QD) hybrid hollow nanoparticles for carrying photodynamic therapy (PDT) reagent. Both rod-like and spherical nanoparticles were prepared by using different shaped templates. Due to the porous shell and hollow interior, the hybrid m-SiO2/QD hollow nanorod with 360nm long and 120nm in diameter was selected for carrying zinc(II) phthalocyanine (ZnPc) photosensitizing molecules (61mg/g) since the generated reactive O-1(2) could be easily delivered out of the hollow particles through the porous shell (BET area 251cm(2)/g). It was found that the m-SiO2/QD-ZnPc hollow nanorods exhibited a good PDT activity and showed effective photocytotoxicity for the cancer cells. Because of the porous nature, fluorescence characteristic, and excellent storage ability, the m-SiO2/QD hybrid hollow particles possessed broad potential in the fluorescent labeled PDT.