Water-stable blue-emitting ZnO@polymer core–shell microspheres

Abstract

Two kinds of ZnO@polymer core–shell nanoparticles were prepared through polymerization initiated by the inherent free radicals on the ZnO surface. The as-prepared quantum dots exhibited intense blue fluorescence. They were used as raw materials to synthesize blue-emitting ZnO@polymer core–shell microspheres which were very stable, even in aqueous solutions of strong acids or alkalis. These microspheres, as stable aqueous suspensions, showed moderate quantum yields, and their self-assembly behavior and biomedical application could be expected.