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

作者：Huang Liming^*; Liao Mingxia; Chen Siqi; Demillo Violeta G; Dupre Sally A; Zhu Xiaoshan; Publicover Nelson G; Hunter Kenneth W Jr

来源：Journal of Nanoparticle Research, 2014, 16(8): 2555.

DOI：10.1007/s11051-014-2555-3

• Nanoparticle surface modification
• Polymer encapsulation
• CuInS2/ZnS quantum dots
• Zwitterionic like
• Colloidal stability

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 similar to 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.

• 出版日期2014-7-19