Water-soluble CuInS2/ZnS quantum dots for reactive oxygen species production

Quantum dot (QDs) nanomaterials have many unique advantages in biological applications. In this work, water-soluble CuInS2/ZnS (ZCIS) was successfully prepared, and its production level of active oxygen species (ROS) under 532nm laser excitation was tested. The effects of illumination time and different concentrations of ZCIS QDs on ROS production and on cancer cell activity inhibition were studied. The results show that ZCIS QDs can produce ROS and inhibit the growth of breast cancer cells. Such quantum dots are expected to be used as photosensitizers and can be used in photodynamic therapy research.