Prolonged fluorescence lifetime of carbon quantum dots by combining with hydroxyapatite nanorods for bio-applications

Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are a new type of fluorescent nanoparticle for cell imaging and tracking. However, they would easily diffuse and quench, followed by the loss of their fluorescence ability. By connecting their functional groups with other nanoparticles, the CQDs will be protected from destruction and exhibit long-time fluorescence. Here, carbon quantum dot–hydroxyapatite (CQD–HAp) hybrid nanorods were prepared by the self-assembly of CQDs on the surface of HAp nanorods through a facile one-pot process. The morphology and size of the CQD–HAp hybrid nanorods can be well controlled by using oleic acid, which meanwhile is the source of CQDs. The hydrophilic CQD–HAp hybrid nanorods have prolonged fluorescence life due to the connection between CQDs and HAp nanorods, and exhibit a higher fluorescence quantum yield than pure CQDs. In addition, when hybrid nanorods load doxorubicin (Dox) to form Dox–CQD–HAp hybrid nanorods, they can more efficiently kill human cervical cancer (HeLa) cells, rather than human prostatic cancer (PC-3) cells. Long time fluorescence for cell imaging and high efficiency in killing cancer cells as a drug-delivery medium make CQD–HAp hybrid nanorods have great potential applications in the bio-field.