Quantum dots have well-recognized applications for the detection of biological and chemical materials due to their unique optical characteristics and are capable of being synthesized in undergraduate physical chemistry courses. Hot solution decomposition is a commonly used method of CdSe quantum dot synthesis at this level. However, the current experimental procedure is limited by ineffective quantum dot size control. In an effort to modify synthesis, bottom-up approaches including hot-solution decomposition, microemulsion, and sol-gel synthesis, were investigated in terms of yield, recovery, and size control process. Products were analyzed using absorbance and emission spectroscopy to determine radial sizes. They have been used in combination with specific aptameric sensors for the detection of a variety of materials. The several new approaches to quantum dot synthesis and the creation of a quantum dot based sensor will be discussed.

Size controlled synthesis of quantum dots for biological and chemical detection

245th National Meeting (2013)

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