Silica-Supported Assemblage of CuII Ions with Carbon Dots for Self-Boosting and Glutathione-Induced ROS Generation

The present work introduces coordinative binding of CuII ions with both amino-functionalized silica nanoparticles (SNs) and green-emitting carbon dots (CDs) as the pregrequisite for CuII-assisted self-assembly CDs at surface SNs. produced composite SNs exhibit stable in time stimuli-responsive green fluorescence derived from assemblage CDs. response is sensitive to complex formation glutathione (GSH), enabling them detect it lower limit detection 0.15 ?M. spin-trap-facilitated electron spin resonance technique indicated that are capable self-boosting generation ROS due CuII?CuI reduction by low oxidation states a part intensity ESR signals enhanced under heating 38 °C. suppressed GSH concentration 0.35 mM but 1.0 glutathione, while once more highest intracellular level (10 mM). These tendencies reveal concentrations optimal scavenger or reductive potential GSH. Flow cytometry confocal microscopy methods revealed efficient cell internalization SNs-NH2-CuII-CDs comparable “free”