Non-Functionalized Fluorescent Carbon Nanoparticles: In Vitro Imaging and Organic Solvent Sensing Applications

We present a simple and effective approach for large scale preparation of non-functionalized fluorescent carbon nanoparticles (NCNPs) and their In Vitro bio-imaging and organic solvents sensors applications. Fluorescence behavior of these nanoparticles was excitation dependent and gave off blue and green fluorescence under UV (405 nm) and blue (488 nm) excitations, respectively. Human embryonic kidney (HEK-297) and breast adenocarcinomm (MCF-7) cells were successfully imaged with these fluorescent nanoparticles and further correlated with dose and time dependent cytotoxicity. Bright fluorescence was observed from these particles dispersed in organic solvents in the visible region of electromagnetic spectrum and exhibited characteristic and distinguishable solvent dependence. This article discusses recent advance about large scale synthesis approaches for fluorescent carbon nanoparticles and their applications in bio-imaging and organic solvents sensors.