The preparation of colloidally stable, water-soluble, biocompatible, semiconductor nanocrystals with a small hydrodynamic diameter.
We report a simple, economical method for generating water-soluble, biocompatible nanocrystals that are colloidally robust and have a small hydrodynamic diameter. The nanocrystal phase transfer technique utilizes a low molecular weight amphiphilic polymer that is formed via maleic anhydride coupling of poly(styrene-co-maleic anhydride) with either ethanolamine or Jeffamine M-1000 polyetheramine. The polymer encapsulated water-soluble nanocrystals exhibit the same optical spectra as those formed initially in organic solvents, preserve photoluminescence intensities, are colloidally stable over a wide pH range (pH 3-13), have a small hydrodynamic diameter, and exhibit low levels of nonspecific binding to cells.
Lees
Emma E
EE
School of Chemistry and Bio21 Institute, University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
Nguyen
Tich-Lam
TL
Clayton
Andrew H A
AH
Muir
Benjamin W
BW
Mulvaney
Paul
P
D003102:Colloids / Q000737:chemistry; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D010316:Particle Size; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D012666:Semiconductors; D012995:Solubility; D013499:Surface Properties; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D003102:Colloids; D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D011108:Polymers; D014867:Water