One-pot phase transfer and surface modification of CdSe–ZnS quantum dots using a synthetic functional copolymer

Abstract

We present a facile, one-pot procedure for the organic-to-water phase transfer and biofunctionalization of semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum dots, or QDs) which employs a synthetic functional copolymer, namely poly(DMA-NAS-MAPS), consisting of three components: a surface interacting monomer, N,N-dimethylacrylamide (DMA), a chemically reactive monomer, N-acryloyloxysuccinimide (NAS), and a silane monomer, [3-(methacryloyloxy)-propyl]-trimethoxysilane (MAPS). The nanocrystals were transferred to water by exploiting the amphiphilic character of the copolymer backbone. Hydrolyzed MAPS units contributed to improve the solubility of QDs in water, whereas NAS exhibited reactivity toward biomolecules. A solution of streptavidin in phosphate buffer exhibited good dispersion ability leading to a clear and transparent colloidal suspension, indicative of good QD dispersion during phase transfer and purification. Unlike most of the published methods, the proposed functionalization approach does not require coupling agents and multistep reactions.

Activated Ester Containing Polymers: Opportunities and Challenges for the Design of Functional Macromolecules

“…Activated ester polymers on the basis of polyPFPA have been used for the synthesis of polymeric ligands for a variety of different nanoparticles. ,,,, Different binding ligands have been incorporated, depending on the inorganic nanoparticle. Similar to the coating of planar surfaces, tercopolymers of NHSA, DMA, and 3-(trimethoxysilyl)­propyl methacrylate were used to stabilize CdSe–ZnS quantum dots in water . A library of polymer-coated (core–shell-type) gold nanoparticles utilizing polyPFPMA prepared by RAFT polymerization has been presented by the group of Klok. , …”

Self-organization of an optomagnetic CoFe2O4–ZnS nanocomposite: preparation and characterization

“…[25][26][27] Zinc sulfide (group II-VI semiconductor with direct wide band gap) nanoparticles have recently attracted significant attention because of their applications in biology and optoelectronic devices. [28][29][30][31][32] In general, the synthesis temperature has a significant effect on the crystal growth, structure and optical properties of the QDs. These studies suggest that the ideal growth temperature should be high enough to overcome the energy barrier for nucleation and growth, and low enough to result in a surface reconstruction leading to optimization of properties.…”

“…Zinc sulfide (group II-VI semiconductor, direct wide band gap) nanoparticles have recently attracted significant attention because of their applications in biology and optoelectronic devices [28][29][30][31][32]. In general, the synthesis temperature has a significant effect on the crystal growth, structure and optical properties of the QDs.…”

Photoelectrochemical properties of CdSe quantum dots doped disk-like tripeptide capsule

“…Such a huge enhancement is probably due to the peptide 2 matrix which has a large effect to reduce the number of trap states in CdSe quantum dots by defect modification. 22 As there is no significant change of oxidation potential and reduction potential by CdSe quantum dots doping of peptide 1, the photoelectric response studies were not performed for peptide 1-CdSe conjugate.…”