A new dual fluorescent probe preparation and its biodiagnose function in vitro

► We studied preparation and characterization of cerium (III)/quinizarin complex. ► We embedded successfully the complexes into silica nanoparticles through an improved sol-gel method. ► The stability and water solubility of the complex were greatly improved by encapsulation. ► The result products emitted strong blue and green fluorescence in vitro. ► The nanoparticles offered potential as fluorescent nanoprobes for cell imaging.