Ag-doped InP/ZnS quantum dots for type-I photosensitizers.

Water-soluble Ag-doped InP/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) with high photoluminescence quantum yield were synthesized and characterized. Their maximum two- and three-photon absorption cross sections are determined as ∼1.7 × 104 GM at 820 nm and ∼1.7 × 10-76 cm6 s2 photon-2 at 1260 nm. Importantly, for the first time, we demonstrated that Ag-doped InP/ZnS QDs can be used for type-I photodynamic therapy and are more suitable for the hypoxic environment of tumors.