A polymer encapsulation approach to prepare zwitterion-like, biocompatible quantum dots with wide pH and ionic stability

• Published in: Journal of nanoparticle research : an interdisciplinary forum for nanoscale science and technology Vol. 16; no. 8; pp. 1 - 9
• Main Authors: Huang, Liming, Liao, Mingxia, Chen, Siqi, Demillo, Violeta G., Dupre, Sally A., Zhu, Xiaoshan, Publicover, Nelson G., Hunter, Kenneth W.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.08.2014; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Biocompatibility; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Cross-disciplinary physics: materials science; rheology; Electronics; Encapsulation; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Fluid dynamics; Fluid flow; Inorganic Chemistry; Lasers; Materials Science; Molecular electronics, nanoelectronics; Nanocrystalline materials; Nanoparticles; Nanoscale materials and structures: fabrication and characterization; Nanotechnology; Natural energy; Optical Devices; Optics; Photonics; Photovoltaic conversion; Physical Chemistry; Physics; Preserves; Quantum dots; Research Paper; Salinity; Semiconductor electronics. Microelectronics. Optoelectronics. Solid state devices; Solar cells. Photoelectrochemical cells; Solar energy; Solvents; Nanoparticle surface modification; Polymer encapsulation; Colloidal stability; CuInS2/ZnS quantum dots; Zwitterionic like; Solar cells; Encapsulation; pH value; Quantum dots; Organic solvents; Cytotoxicity; Zwitterion; Surface treatments; Quantum yield; Nanoparticles; II-VI semiconductors; Biocompatibility; Chemical properties; Polymers; Nanostructured materials
• ISSN: 1388-0764; 1572-896X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11051-014-2555-3

A surface modification approach adopting polymer encapsulation was developed to prepare zwitterion-like quantum dots (ZWL-QDs). The fundamental physical, chemical, and biological properties of the ZWL-QDs were characterized. It is found that the ZWL-QDs almost preserve the quantum yield (QY) of native hydrophobic QDs in organic solvents, and also are compact in size (7 ~ 10 nm hydrodynamic diameter) and stable over wide pHs or in high salinity solutions. Further cellular study shows that the ZWL-QDs with a concentration less than 100 nM have a minimal cytotoxicity and thus are biocompatible. Characterizing and understanding these essential properties of the ZWL-QDs are an important step before employing them for various applications.