Synthesis of CdHgTe quantum dots and in vivo multispectral fluorescence imaging

This paper reported an efficient and low pollution synthesis method, with which the CdHgTe quantum dots (QDs) with 600-900 nm emission spectrum were synthesized in aqueous solution using stabilizer L-glutathione and L-cysteine at 96 °C. The resulting CdHgTe QDs were characterized with transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) and spectrofluorophotometer. Results indicated that synthesized CdHgTe QDs had uniform size distribution and good fluorescent properties. The resulting CdHgTe quantum dots were used for in vivo multispectral imaging of mice. Multicolor fluorescence imaging of CdHgTe QDs distribution was achieved under in vivo conditions and the co-localization spectral signals were successfully unmixed. The results demonstrate as prepared CdHgTe QDs with good fluorescent signal were suitable for in vivo multispectral imaging.