Quantum dots - characterization, preparation and usage in biological systems.

Jana Drbohlavova,Jaromir Hubalek,Vojtech Adam,Rene Kizek

doi:10.3390/ijms10020656

Abstract

The use of fluorescent nanoparticles as probes for bioanalytical applications is a highly promising technique because fluorescence-based techniques are very sensitive. Quantum dots (QDs) seem to show the greatest promise as labels for tagging and imaging in biological systems owing to their impressive photostability, which allow long-term observations of biomolecules. The usage of QDs in practical applications has started only recently, therefore, the research on QDs is extremely important in order to provide safe and effective biosensing materials for medicine. This review reports on the recent methods for the preparation of quantum dots, their physical and chemical properties, surface modification as well as on some interesting examples of their experimental use.

Highlights

In few past years, researchers in Chemistry and Physics have focused a great part of their interest in fabrication of nanoparticles such as nanowires, quantum dots, nanorods, nanotubes or nanofilms [1].Int
Absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity depend on multiple factors derived from both inherent physico-chemical properties and environmental conditions; Quantum dots (QDs) size, charge, concentration, outer coating bioactivity, and oxidative, photolytic, and mechanical stability have each been implicated as determining factors in QD toxicity
In order to monitor the size of epitaxially prepared QDs, several characterization methods are usually employed, e.g. transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM) or more preferably scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) as can be seen from Figure 5

Summary

Introduction

Researchers in Chemistry and Physics have focused a great part of their interest in fabrication of nanoparticles such as nanowires, quantum dots, nanorods, nanotubes or nanofilms [1]. In planar and vertical QDs, electrostatic confinement leads typically to dimensions around 100 nm and structural confinement is of the order of 10 nm, while in self-assembled QDs the structures are rather pyramidal or lens-shaped with sizes of approximately 10 nm. These pyramidal QDs are very promising for laser applications [10,11]

The main criteria for using QDs in Medicine

Some important applications of QDs

QD preparation

QD characterization

Conclusions