Two-photon imaging
in the near-infrared window holds huge promise
for real life biological imaging due to the increased penetration
depth. All-inorganic CsPbX
3
nanocrystals with bright luminescence
and broad spectral tunability are excellent smart probes for two-photon
bioimaging. But, the poor stability in water is a well-documented
issue for limiting their practical use. Herein, we present the development
of specific antibody attached water-resistant one-dimensional (1D)
CsPbBr
3
nanowires, two-dimensional (2D) CsPbBr
3
nanoplatelets, and three-dimensional (3D) CsPbBr
3
nanocubes
which can be used for selective and simultaneous two-photon imaging
of heterogeneous breast cancer cells in the near IR biological window.
The current manuscript reports the design of excellent photoluminescence
quantum yield (PLQY), biocompatible and photostable 1D CsPbBr
3
nanowires, 2D CsPbBr
3
nanoplatelets, and 3D CsPbBr
3
nanocubes through an interfacial conversion from zero-dimensional
(0D) Cs
4
PbBr
6
nanocrystals via a water triggered
strategy. Reported data show that just by varying the amount of water,
one can control the dimension of CsPbBr
3
perovskite crystals.
Time-dependent transition electron microscopy and emission spectra
have been reported to find the possible pathway for the formation
of 1D, 2D, and 3D CsPbBr
3
nanocrystals from 0D Cs
4
PbBr
6
nanocrystals. Biocompatible 1D, 2D, and 3D CsPbBr
3
nanocrystals were developed by coating with amine–poly(ethylene
glycol)–propionic acid. Experimental data show the water-driven
design of 1D, 2D, and 3D CsPbBr
3
nanocrystals exhibits
strong single-photon PLQY of ∼66–88% as well as excellent
two-photon absorption properties (σ
2
) of ∼8.3
× 10
5
–7.1 × 10
4
GM. Furthermore,
reported data show more than 86% of PL intensity remains for 1D, 2D,
and 3D CsPbBr
3
nanocrystals after 35 days under water,
and they exhibit excellent photostability of keeping 99% PL intensity
after 3 h under UV light. The current report demonstrates for the
first time that antibody attached 1D and 2D perovskites have capability
for simultaneous two-photon imaging of triple negative breast cancer
cells and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive breast
cancer cells. CsPbBr
3
nanocrystals exhibit very high two-photon
absorption cross-section and good photostability in water, which are
superior to those of commonly used organic probes (σ
2
= 11 GM for fluorescein), and therefore, they have capability to
be a better probe for bioimaging applications.