title: Generation of functionalized and robust semiconducting polymer dots with polyelectrolytes.
abstract: We describe a facile method to functionalize semiconducting polymer dots (Pdots) with polyelectrolytes. The polyelectrolyte coating dramatically improves the colloidal stability of the Pdots in solutions which are either of high ionic strength or contain bivalent metal ions: this feature allows Pdots to be used under physiologically relevant environments without losing their functionality. We conjugated the polyelectrolyte-coated Pdots with streptavidin to demonstrate their application in specific cell labeling.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Yuhui
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Fangmao
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Changfeng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Yang-Hsiang
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: Daniel T
authors.initials: DT
authors.lastname: Chiu
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004573:Electrolytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D005449:Fluorenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D010316:Particle Size; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D045663:Quantum Dots; D012666:Semiconductors; D013194:Staining and Labeling; D019809:Streptavidin / Q000737:chemistry; D013451:Sulfonic Acids / Q000737:chemistry*; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D004573:Electrolytes; D005449:Fluorenes; D011108:Polymers; D011109:Polymethacrylic Acids; D013451:Sulfonic Acids; C545278:poly(9,9'-bis(6''-N,N,N-trimethylammonium)hexyl)fluorene-co-alt-4,7-(2,1,3-benzothiadiazole) dibromide; C030613:polymethacrylic acid; D019809:Streptavidin; C077114:styrenesulfonic acid polymer