Fluorescent glutathione probe based on MnO2–Si quantum dots nanocomposite directly used for intracellular glutathione imaging

Abstract A highly sensitive glutathione probe based on silicon quantum dots (SiQDs) modified with MnO 2 nanosheets has been developed. A strong reduction of the blue fluorescence of the SiQDs happened due to the surface energy transfer (SET) from SiQDs to the deposited MnO 2 . Fluorescence can be restored in the presence of glutathione on account of the MnO 2 nanosheets are reduced. A fluorometric glutathione detection assay with a low detection limit (153 nM, at an S/N ratio of 3) can be designed via this method. It can be applied to directly determine GSH in living cells. A significant blue fluorescence image is produced in the cytosol of the cell and the fluorescence disappears while the cells treated with scavenger of GSH.