H-BCN Quantum Dots as Potential 10B Carriers and Imaging Tools for Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) Applications

Boron Carbon Nitride (BCN) is a ternary compound exhibiting properties that lie between those of conductive graphene and insulating boron nitride. Numerous theoretical and experimental studies have demonstrated that hexagonal BCN (h-BCN) exhibits unique optical, electrical, mechanical, and thermal properties, along with high chemical inertness and biocompatibility, making it a promising material for a wide range of applications. Given their high volumetric boron content, we evaluated the potential of h-BCN nanomaterials as vectors for delivering and accumulating 10B within cells, thereby enabling effective cancer treatment via targeted neutron irradiation for BNCT. In this work, we investigated the synthesis and characterization of h-BCN quantum dots (BCN-QDs) and assessed their potential as 10B carriers and imaging tools. Fluorescence microscopy and intracellular neutron autoradiography confirmed the internalization of BCN-QDs in vitro and their distribution within the cell population. BCN-QDs were selectively internalized in HeLa cells, resulting in high 10B concentrations and demonstrating their potential as 10B carriers for BNCT applications.