Preparation of Aminodextran−CdS Nanoparticle Complexes and Biologically Active Antibody−Aminodextran−CdS Nanoparticle Conjugates

Abstract

Stable aqueous dispersions consisting of CdS nanoparticles having modal diameters, ranging between 2 and 8 nm, were prepared with amino-derivatized polysaccharides (aminodextrans, hence abbreviated as Amdex) as the stabilizing agents. The size, stability, and luminescence intensity of such dispersions were shown to be dependent on the types of the cadmium salts and aminodextrans used, as well as on the reactant concentrations. Specifically, it was demonstrated that the degree of substitution of amino groups in the aminodextran molecules greatly affected the properties of the dispersions; i.e., with higher degree of substitution, smaller CdS particles and higher luminescence intensity were achieved. It was also shown that the Amdex−CdS nanoparticle complexes could be activated and conjugated with antibody by conventional means. Molecular weight ranges of the Amdex and their complexes with CdS nanoparticles and the purity of antibody−Amdex−CdS nanoparticle conjugates were determined by polyacrylamide gel el...