Background X-ray computed tomography (CT) imaging can be used to reveal the three-dimensional structure of deep tissue with high spatial resolution. However, it cannot reveal molecular or cellular changes, and has great limitations in terms of specificity and sensitivity. Fluorescence imaging technology is one of the main methods used for the study of molecular events in vivo and has important applications in life science research. Therefore, the combination of CT and fluorescence imaging is an ideal dual-modal molecular imaging method, which can provide data on both molecular function and tissue structure, and has important research value. In a previous study, Bi2S3 nanoparticles were wrapped with quantum dots in SiO2 to generate CT and fluorescence imaging. However, this type of probe led to low survival and caused innegligible in vivo toxicity in mice. Therefore, it is necessary to develop new multifunctional probes that demonstrate biocompatibility and safety in vivo.Methods A polyethylene glycol-phospholipid bilayer structure was used to synthesize hybrid clusters containing hydrophobic Bi2S3 nanoparticles and quantum dots for combined CT/fluorescence imaging. Mean particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential were used to study the stability over an 8-week test period. In vivo CT and fluorescence imaging experiments were performed, and the in vivo safety of the probe was evaluated, using histopathological, biochemical, and blood analyses.Results The probe distinctly enhanced the CT contrast and had fluorescence imaging capability. In addition, the nanocomposite hybrid clusters showed a longer circulation time (>4 h) than iobitridol. The results also showed that the Bi2S3-QD@DSPE probe had good biocompatibility and safety, and did not affect normal organ functioning.Conclusion sBi2S3-QD@DSPE hybrid clusters exhibited remarkable performance in CT angiography and fluorescence imaging in vivo.
Cai Zhang,Li Zhou,Jing Zhang,Rui Dai,Pengrui Zhuang,Zhaoxiang Ye
Spectral computed tomography (CT) imaging agents are the key to spectral CT imaging with an unprecedented signal-to-noise ratio in vivo. However, there is still extreme lack of high-performance contrast agents. Herein, we present a facile and green strategy for the fabrication of uniform flower-like Bi2S3 nanoparticles (NPs) for spectral CT imaging and photothermal therapy in vivo for the first time. High-quality Bi2S3 NPs are obtained by simply heating the mixture of Bi(NO3)3 and glutathione in ethylene glycol without the need for adding toxic agents and inert gas protection. The proposed Bi2S3 NPs exhibit good monodispersity, high Bi content (60%), favorable water solubility, strong absorption in near-infrared windows, good biocompatibility and excellent CT and spectral CT imaging abilities due to the high K-edge energy of Bi (91 keV). Not only the accurate gastrointestinal tract spectral CT imaging but also the evaluation of the effect of intestinal obstruction surgery was achieved using the Bi2S3 NPs. Then effective tumor photothermal therapy in vivo was realized. This study proposes a facile and green method for the synthesis of high-quality Bi2S3 NPs, and proves the promising potential of Bi2S3 nanomaterial as a high-performance spectral CT imaging agent.
Xiaohui Zhao,Dongyang Wang,Shuang'an Liu,Zixiang Li,Jie Meng,Yungen Ran,Yucang Zhang,Ling Li
Dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) counter electrode (CE) is needed to have both good electrical conductivity and high catalytic activity, and composite materials are better meet these two requirements. In this work, Bi 2 S 3 /carbon nanofiber (CNFs) composites are synthesized by simple electrospinning and hydrothermal methods, and after optimization of the content of Bi 2 S 3 , the large amount Bi 2 S 3 nanoparticles are grown densely on CNFs without agglomeration. Bi 2 S 3 /CNFs composites are first introduced into DSSCs as CE. The optimized Bi 2 S 3 /CNFs composites are of great electrochemical performance and obtain a photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE) of 7.64 %, which is better than common used Pt CE (7.12 %). Thus Bi 2 S 3 /CNFs CE has great prospects based on low cost and simple fabrication process to develop Pt-free CEs which could accelerate the large-scale application of DSSCs.
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