This presentation describes the characterization of luminescent CdSe, CdSe/ZnS, ZnSe and ZnSe/ZnS quantum dots (QD) and their impact on the viability of <i>Shewanella oneidensis </i>MR-1, an environmentally-relevant metal toxicity model. CdSe and ZnSe are II-VI QD systems being used in visual, bioimaging, and energy technologies. CdSe QDs are more widely used, but the development of ZnSe and other ‘cadmium-free’ QD technologies are becoming more prevalent driven by concerns of using toxic metal-containing materials. The synthesis of the two systems are similar hot injection method protocols, differing only in the shelling procedures. A ZnS shell is typically added to a QD core to protect the QD, and to improve its optical properties, chemical stability, and photostability. It is often assumed that the addition of the ZnS shell to the QD would appease the toxicity concerns, provided the shell is fully encapsulating and stable. Our studies show that this assumption may underestimate the other mechanisms of QD toxicity and how different environments may impact the shell, and thus QD, stability and toxicity.

<i>Shewanella oneidensis </i>MR-1 toxicity studies with CdSe and ZnSe quantum dots

254th National Meeting (2017)

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Shewanella oneidensis MR-1 toxicity studies with CdSe and ZnSe quantum dots