Issue 6, 2013

Aqueous synthesis of highly luminescent AgInS2–ZnS quantum dots and their biological applications

Abstract

Highly emissive and air-stable AgInS2–ZnS quantum dots (ZAIS QDs) with quantum yields of up to 20% have been successfully synthesized directly in aqueous media in the presence of polyacrylic acid (PAA) and mercaptoacetic acid (MAA) as stabilizing and reactivity-controlling agents. The as-prepared water-dispersible ZAIS QDs are around 3 nm in size, possess the tetragonal chalcopyrite crystal structure, and exhibit long fluorescence lifetimes (>100 ns). In addition, these ZAIS QDs are found to exhibit excellent optical and colloidal stability in physiologically relevant pH values as well as very low cytotoxicity, which render them particularly suitable for biological applications. Their potential use in biological labelling of baculoviral vectors is demonstrated.

Graphical abstract: Aqueous synthesis of highly luminescent AgInS2–ZnS quantum dots and their biological applications

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
18 12 2012
Accepted
18 1 2013
First published
22 1 2013

Nanoscale, 2013,5, 2322-2327

Aqueous synthesis of highly luminescent AgInS2–ZnS quantum dots and their biological applications

M. D. Regulacio, K. Y. Win, S. L. Lo, S. Zhang, X. Zhang, S. Wang, M. Han and Y. Zheng, Nanoscale, 2013, 5, 2322 DOI: 10.1039/C3NR34159C

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