Synthesis, characterizations of dye-doped silica nanoparticles and their application in labeling cells

► The FDSN was well-ordered and dispersed, which were prepared using an improved Stöber method. ► The emission peak of the FDSN had no obvious shift compared with that of the FITC in aqueous solution. ► The cytotoxicity of the FDSN showed that there was no adverse effect on cell viability. ► The cell imaging results indicated the FDSN was incorporated into these cells and NSCLC uptake of FDSN.