Fabrication of CdTe quantum dots–apoferritin arrays for detection of dopamine

Abstract

A method was proposed for detecting dopamine using a two-dimensional CdTe quantum dots (QDs)–apoferritin array fabricated on a modified silicon (Si) surface. First, CdTe QDs were synthesized in the cavity of horse spleen apoferritin (HsAFr). Then, the characterization of CdTe QDs in apoferritin was performed using photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Transmission electron microscopy was used to analyze the size and structure of CdTe QDs. An atomic force microscopy image was obtained to evaluate the topography of the Si surface. In addition, the PL change resulting from the conjugation reaction of the CdTe QDs-apoferritin array with dopamine was investigated. When the array was linked to dopamine, a significant quenching of fluorescence was observed. Accordingly, the CdTe QDs–apoferritin arrays could be employed as useful sensing media for dopamine detection.