SDS-Stabilized CuInSe(2)/ZnS Multinanocomposites Prepared by Mechanochemical Synthesis for Advanced Biomedical Application

The CuInSe(2)/ZnS multiparticulate nanocomposites were first synthesized employing two-step mechanochemical synthesis. In the first step, tetragonal CuInSe(2) crystals prepared from copper, indium and selenium precursors were co-milled with zinc acetate dihydrate and sodium sulfide nonahydrate as precursors for ZnS in different molar ratios by mechanochemical route in a planetary mill. In the second step, the prepared CuInSe(2)/ZnS nanocrystals were further milled in a circulation mill in sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) solution (0.5 wt.%) to stabilize the synthesized nanoparticles. The sodium dodecyl sulphate capped CuInSe(2)/ZnS 5:0-SDS nanosuspension was shown to be stable for 20 weeks, whereas the CuInSe(2)/ZnS 4:1-SDS one was stable for about 11 weeks. After sodium dodecyl sulphate capping, unimodal particle size distribution was obtained with particle size medians approaching, respectively, 123 nm and 188 nm for CuInSe(2)/ZnS 5:0-SDS and CuInSe(2)/ZnS 4:1-SDS nanocomposites. Successful stabilization of the prepared nanosuspensions due to sodium dodecyl sulphate covering the surface of the nanocomposite particles was confirmed by zeta potential measurements. The prepared CuInSe(2)/ZnS 5:0-SDS and CuInSe(2)/ZnS 4:1-SDS nanosuspensions possessed anti-myeloma sensitizing potential assessed by significantly reduced viability of multiple myeloma cell lines, with efficient fluorescence inside viable cells and higher cytotoxic efficacy in CuInSe(2)/ZnS 4:1-SDS nanosuspension.