Biotoxicity of CdS/CdSe Core-Shell Nano-Structures

Abstract

The cytotoxicity of hydrophobic QDs CdS/CdSe was tested assigning MTT assay on Human Embry-onic Kidney cells (HEK-293), breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and Enrichlish Ascitices Cells (EAC). Approximately 65% bio-toxicity was observed in MCF-7 for the core-shell QDs. These QDs may also find effective applications in other optoelectronic devices. CdS/CdSe core-shell hetrostructure quantum dots (QDs) were generated by chemical reaction between the respective chalcogens and cadmium metal salt. Sulphur powder was utilized for CdS core preparation while selenium was extracted from an organoselenium compound to impart CdSe shell layer at a temperature between 150˚C-200˚C. So-prepared core-shell QDs showed good optical properties. The particle size was found to be in the range of 3-4 nm with spherical morphology and cubic crystal structure.