Semiconductor nanocrystal quantum dots (QDs) have drawn great scientific interest in biological labeling
due to their unique optical properties. To date, in vivo imaging in biomedical field has become the cutting edge in
science. Unlikely, QDs with a visible emission have less penetration ability in vivo, which limited their extensive
applications. Therefore, near-infrared (NIR) emitting QDs with a spectral window of 750-900 nm have been
conducted to overcome this obstacle, which were most interested for in vivo imaging and cancer tracking.
Herein, we report the synthesis, optical characterization and near-infrared (NIR) emitting CuInS2/ZnS (CIS/ZnS)
quantum dots and their biolabeling properties. To synthesis hydrophobic I–III–VI2 QDs, first the CuInS2 core
was prepared at 240℃ for 30 min. Then the temperature of the CIS core was decreased to 160℃ for the ZnS shell
surface passivation to improve the photoluminescence (PL) of the final nanoparticles. Furthermore, we
investigated the oil and water phase composite, morphology and optical properties of the as-prepared QDs by Xray
diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-vis absorption spectra and PL spectra. The
as-prepared CuInS2/ZnS QDs were incorporated in silica beads, for further bi-functional modification, with an
average diameter 15-35 nm while maintaining an absolute and symmetric photoluminescence (PL) spectrum with
emission peak tunable in the range of 660-700 nm and photoluminescence quantum yield (PL QY) up to 40-50%.
Moreover, the CIS/ZnS silica beads showed remarkable biocompatible and excellent NIR emitting properties that
favor their further biolabeling applications.