Quantum dot (QD) nanocrystals are advantageous due to their bright quantum yield. In addition, their emission wavelength can easily be tuned to desired wavelength with a one-step synthesis. As a result QDs are ideal for biomedical imagining and flow cytometry. Unfortunately, the QDs with emission in the visible region of the spectrum contain toxic cadmium metal and are soluble in greasy solvents due to native hydrophobic ligand oleic acid. Cadmium selenide (CdSe) QDs were made biocompatible upon the addition of an inert zinc sulfide (ZnS) outer shell and the exchange of native hydrophobic ligands with hydrophilic 3-mercaptopropoinic acid. The surface of the biocompatible QDs were then modified with click chemistry precursors to eventually attach to antibodies for use in flow cytometry or <i>in vivo</i> imaging. The stability of the CdSe ZnS core shell QDs in water was monitored and quantified with the use of fluorescence quantum yield. It was found that the fluorescence quantum yield increased and stabilized over time when zinc acetate was added to the QDs in water.

Stability of cadmium selenide zinc sulfide core shell quantum dot nanocrystals in water

ACS Spring 2022

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.