Photoinduced change of AgInS$_2$ quantum dots fluorescence properties : influence of protein environment

Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) AgInS$_2$ and AgInS$_2$/ZnS were synthesized and changes in their fluorescence properties under external radiation were studied. To assess the effect of the protein environment, QDs were encapsulated in albumin nanoparticles and coated with a fetal bovine serum shell to imitate the protein corona. It was demonstrated that the protein environment has a significant effect on the luminescent properties of QDs, namely, a hypsochromic shift of the luminescence band and a decrease in the luminescence quantum yield. The results showed that ZnS shell and both types of protein shells lead to a decrease in the photobleaching rate of the fluorescent properties of QDs as a result of interaction with light.