Surface modification and functionalization of semiconductor quantum dots through reactive coating of silanes in toluene

Abstract

We have reported a general method for biocompatible modification and multi-functionalization of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) through direct reaction of organic silanes on the surface of semiconductor QDs. Functionalized QDs, including CdSe/ZnS, CdSe/CdS core/shell and PbS QDs, have been prepared at high concentration up to 10⁻⁴ M in homogeneous media, i.e. toluene. Fluorescence spectra and TEM images indicate that the modified QDs exhibit strong fluorescence and single particle features, respectively. Fluorescence images show that biocompatible CdSe/ZnS QDs are internalized into SK-BR-3 breast cancer cells after hydrophilic modification. Additionally, methacrylate-modified QDs have been used as monomers for radical polymerization.