| abstract |
In this invention, we have developed a novel methodology that permits a significant increment in the quantum yield of Ag2S dots. The process is partly based on the irradiation of chloroform-dispersed Ag 2 S/Ag heterodimers with femtosecond laser pulses that lead to the formation of a protective AgCI shell. This reduces the surface traps while minimizing dot-to-medium transfer via non-radiative events. The Ag2S superdots generated as a result of this process outperform all currently available NIR-II contrast agents, enabling whole body in vivo imaging at ultra-low excitation intensities. |