Microwave-assisted Synthesis of Highly Fluorescent and Biocompatible Silicon Nanoparticles Using Glucose as Dual Roles of Reducing Agents and Hydrophilic Ligands

Highly fluorescent and dispersible silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) were prepared by microwave-assisted synthesis from (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) and glucose. Glucose played important roles both as reducing agents and surface ligands of SiNPs. Prepared SiNPs were highly non-toxic for cellular media and the efficient bioimaging of cellular imaging was enabled after incubation of MDA-MB-231 and MDCK cells in the presence of SiNPs.