Comparison Direct Synthesis of Hyaluronic Acid-Based Carbon Nanodots as Dual Active Targeting and Imaging of HeLa Cancer Cells

Abstract

The present study explores the potential of carbon nanodots (CDs) synthesized from hyaluronic acid using microwave-assisted and furnace-assisted methods as bioimaging agents for cancer cells. The investigation on the effect of microwave-assisted and furnace-assisted times (2 min and 2 h) on determining CD character is dominantly discussed. Various CDs, such as HA-P1 and HA-P2 were, respectively, synthesized through the furnace-assisted method at 270 °C for 2 min and 2 h, whereas HA-M1 and HA-M2 were synthesized with the microwave-assisted method for 2 min and 2 h, respectively. Overall, various CDs were produced with an average diameter, with the maximum absorption of HA-P1, HA-P2, HA-M1, and HA-M2 at 234, 238, 221, and 217 nm, respectively. The photoluminescence spectra of these CDs showed particular emissions at 320 nm and excitation wavelengths from 340 to 400 nm. Several characterizations such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy reveal the CD properties such as amorphous structures, existence of D bands and G bands, and hydrophilic property supported with hydroxyl and carboxyl groups. The quantum yields of HA-M1, HA-M2, HA-P1, and HA-P2 were 12, 7, 9, and 23%, respectively. The cytotoxicity and in vitro activity were verified by a cell counting kit-8 assay and confocal laser scanning microscopy, which show a low toxicity with the percentage of living cells above 80%.