In situ synthesis of luminescent carbon nanoparticles toward target bioimaging.

This paper describes the in situ synthesis of single fluorescence carbon nanoparticles (FCNs) for target bioimaging applications derived from biocompatible hyaluronic acid (HA) without using common conjugation processes. FCNs formed via the dehydration of hyaluronic acid, which were obtained by carbonizing HA, and partially carbonized HA fluorescence carbon nanoparticles (HA-FCNs), formed by a lower degree of carbonization, show good aqueous solubility, small particle size (<20 nm) and different fluorescence intensities with a red shift. After confirming the cytotoxicity of HA-FCNs and FCNs, we carried out in vitro and in vivo bioimaging studies where HA-FCNs themselves functioned as single particle triggers in target imaging. The converted nanocrystal carbon particles from HA provide outstanding features for in vitro and in vivo new targeted delivery and diagnostic tools.