Forming Biocompatible and Nonaggregated Nanocrystals in Water Using Amphiphilic Polymers

Abstract

High-quality nanocrystals formed in organic solvents can be completely solubilized in water using amphiphilic copolymers containing poly(ethylene glycol) or PEG. These copolymers are generated using a maleic anhydride coupling scheme that permits the coupling of a wide variety of PEG polymers, both unfunctionalized and functionalized, to hydrophobic tails. Thermogravimetric analysis, size exclusion chromatography, cryogenic transmission electron microscopy, and infrared spectroscopy all indicate that the copolymers effectively coat the nanocrystals surfaces. The composite nanocrystal-polymer assemblies can be targeted to recognize cancer cells with Her2 receptor and are biocompatible if their surface coatings contain PEG. In the particular case of semiconductor nanocrystals (e.g., quantum dots), the materials in water have the same optical spectra as well as quantum yield as those formed initially in organic solutions.

Synthesis, Functionalization, and Design of Magnetic Nanoparticles for Theranostic Applications

“…In contrast to in situ approach, within the post synthesis strategy, bare magnetic cores will be introduced by coating materials onto their surface through ligand exchange, [140,381] direct grafting [382] or hydrophobic interactions. [383] Silica, polymers, gold and other organic dye molecules are of the most commonly used materials through this approach. [12] In order to bind the coating material onto the surface of resultant MNPs, two different strategies have been employed; the first one exploits the weak interactions (van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonds, etc.)…”

Potential Environmental and Human Health Impacts of Nanomaterials Used in the Construction Industry

“…Quantum dots are fluorescent nanoparticles that contain heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, and zinc in their core/shell structures, and are functionalized with organic coatings to enhance their stability [85]. Release of core metals is the primary mechanism of toxicity of QDs towards bacteria [38,57] as well as towards mammalian cells [7,15,23,36,52,74].…”

Investigation of Effect of Adding Hydrophobically Modified Water Soluble Polymers on the Structure and Viscosity of Anionic Vesicle Dispersion

“…In the case of vesicles, its size and structure may change upon the polymer addition. In some cases, the addition of amphiphilic polymers leads to the stabilization of the dispersions due to the incorporation of anchoring hydrophobic domains into the vesicle bilayers [14][15][16][17].…”