Determine the position of nanoparticles in cells by using surface-enhanced Raman three-dimensional imaging

The development of efficient three-dimensional cell imaging technology is a necessary means to study cell composition and structure, especially to track and monitor the phagocytosis process of nanoparticles by cells. Herein, we prepared a MoO₂ hollow nanosphere with a strong surface plasmon resonance effect in the visible light region, which exhibited an excellent surface enhanced Raman scattering effect. When the 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MBA) molecules are modified, it can be efficiently used as Raman probe molecules to perform clear three-dimensional cell imaging. No matter when the nanoparticles are located inside the cell, outside the cell or partly inside the cell, they all can be clearly presented by this enhanced Raman probe molecule. These results provide a rapid and accurate method for three-dimensional imaging of cells, especially for tracking the phagocytosis of nanoparticles.