Surface Of ZnS Quantum Dots Research Articles

Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer-Mediated Immunosensor Based on Design and Synthesis of the Substrate of Amp Cephalosporinase for Biosensing.

The traditional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) has some disadvantages, such as insufficient sensitivity and low stability of the labeled enzyme, which limit its further applications. In this study, a more stable enzyme, Amp cephalosporinase (AmpC), was selected as the labeled enzyme, and its substrate was designed and synthesized. This substrate contained the cephalosporin ring core as the enzymatic recognition section and the structural motif of the 3-hydroxyflavone (3-HF) as the reporter molecule. AmpC can specifically catalyze the substrate and release 3-HF, which can enter the cavity of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) on the surface of ZnS quantum dots and form a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) signal amplification system. An AmpC-catalyzed, FRET-mediated ultrasensitive immunosensor (ACF immunosensor) for procalcitonin (PCT) was developed by combining the signal amplification system of the polystyrene microspheres and effective immune-based magnetic separation. The ACF immunosensor has high sensitivity and specificity for the detection of PCT: its linear range is from 0.1 ng mL-1 to 70 ng mL-1, and the limit of detection can reach 0.03 ng mL-1. The spiking recoveries of PCT in human serum samples range from 98.3% to 107%, with relative standard deviations ranging from 2.14% to 12.0%. This approach was applied to detect PCT in real patient serum samples, and the results are consistent with those obtained with a commercial ELISA kit.

Synthesis and characterisation of functional manganese doped ZnS quantum dots for bio-imaging application

ABSTRACTFluorescent quantum dots (QDs) are potential candidates for bio-imaging but major problems in using them for bio-imaging applications are either bandgap lying in UV region or the cytotoxicity of the visible light-excited cadmium-based QDs. Keeping these things in mind, glutathione (GLT) functionalised Mn-doped ZnS QDs has been studied to make a desired fluorescent system for bioimaging application. XRD measurements show that grain size decreases at higher concentration of GLT capping on Mn-doped quantum dots. UV–visible studies show that the band gap shows a blue shift at higher GLT concentration. FTIR studies confirm GLT functionalisation on the surface of ZnS QDs. Both UV excited and IR excited photoluminescence spectrum of samples exhibited a tunable orange emission intensity with increase in GLT concentration however multiphoton infrared excited spectra was used to show the feasibility of GLT functionalised ZnS:Mn quantum dots for a real application in a biological window of 650–950 nm.

The nature of binding of quinolate complex on the surface of ZnS quantum dots.

We report that the Z-type binding rather than X-type binding was favored when 8-hydroxyquinoline (HQ) reacted with presynthesized ZnS quantum dots (Qdots) to form surface zinc quinolinate complexes having a preferred stoichiometry of 1 : 2 (surface Zn2+ : HQ). Importantly, the higher solubility in polar solvents and high desorption coefficient (following Langmuir binding isotherm) of HQ-treated ZnS Qdot in DMSO solvent compared with those in methanol clearly indicated the favorable Z-type binding of HQ and thus the formation of surface octahedral ZnQ2 complex. Furthermore, the characteristics peaks in the 1H-nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum of the desorbed species and the ligand density calculation of the surface complex (formed due to the reaction between HQ and ZnS Qdot) supported the octahedral ZnQ2 complex formation. Interestingly, the presence of dangling sulphide and the loss of planarity of ZnQ2 complex on the surface of ZnS Qdots (in turn gaining structural rigidity) may be the reasons for the Z-type binding of HQ. The specific binding might be the reason for superior optical properties and thermal stability of the surface ZnQ2 complex compared to the free ZnQ2 complex as such. The results can be considered important towards understanding the coordination chemistry of inorganic complex on the surface of Qdots and thus for their application potential.

Gold Nanocluster and Quantum Dot Complex in Protein for Biofriendly White-Light-Emitting Material.

We report the synthesis of a biofriendly highly luminescent white-light-emitting nanocomposite. The composite consisted of Au nanoclusters and ZnQ2 complex (on the surface of ZnS quantum dots) embedded in protein. The combination of red, green, and blue luminescence from clusters, complex, and protein, respectively, led to white light generation.

Structural and optical behavior of hexa-propyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) capped ZnS core–shell quantum dots

HPMC capped ZnS core–shell quantum dots were synthesized by using simple and eco friendly chemical precipitation method in which HPMC acts as a surface passivator as well as a functionalization agent to tune the properties. Morphological and optical characterizations were done to see the effect of HPMC capping on ZnS quantum dots. Morphological studies was done by using XRD and TEM. XRD studies confirms the pure zinc blende phase for all the samples. TEM studies shows that HPMC is efficiently controlling the agglomeration. Optical studies were done by using UV–visible and FTIR. UV–visible studies shows that bandgap is tunable on both sides of the wavelength depending on the concentration of HPMC. FTIR studies confirms the coating of HPMC on the surface of ZnS quantum dots. Laser induced time resolved photoluminescence studies were also done to see the effect of HPMC on the intensity of excited state life time of quantum dots. It is observed that the structural and optical characteristics have strong dependence on capping concentration. As HPMC is a very important viscoelastic polymer and organic surfactant used in various types of cosmetic binding applications and drug formulations, these studies opens a new way in the area of novel cosmetic design, efficient drug delivery and targeting and also specific optoelectronic applications using chalcogenide quantum dots.

Effect of biocompatible glutathione capping on core–shell ZnS quantum dots

Glutathione capped quantum dots are a potential candidate for different applications like ligand exchange in living cells, cell imaging and detection of glucose levels. Keeping these in mind, glutathione capped ZnS quantum dots were synthesized by using the thiol group of the capping agent by chemical precipitation method. Morphological characterizations were done by XRD and TEM. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements showed that the nanocrystals have Zinc Blende structure. Grain size and particle size shows a little variation with glutathione capping. Optical characterizations were done by UV–visible absorption, FTIR and energy resolved photoluminescence. UV–visible studies shows that the band gap also shows a small variation with glutathione capping. FTIR studies confirm glutathione capping on the surface of ZnS quantum dots. Room temperature energy resolved photoluminescence spectrum of samples exhibited a defect-related blue emission band. However, the PL properties seem to start tunability at higher concentration of glutathione which is a very good sign for extending this research further.

Improved Luminescence Properties and Thermal Stability of ZnSQuantum Dots by Organic and Inorganic Passivation

ZnS quantum dots (QDs) synthesized in water and ethanol solutions werecoated with polystyrene (PS) and SiO2 shells, respectively. The band edgeemission was enhanced by nearly five times after PS coating and by about thirteentimes after SiO2 coating, because the surface trap states were removed. Fromthe photoluminescence properties of ZnS QDs coated with PS and SiO2 shellswe have detected the improvement of thermal stability. This is due to thefact that the surface passivation can prevent the further growth of the ZnSQDs and the diffusion of oxygen on the surface of ZnS QDs during thermaloxidation.

Enhancement of Photoluminescence from Organic and Inorganic Surface Passivated ZnS Quantum Dots

ABSTRACTZnS quantum dots (QDs) chemically synthesized in PVP stabilizing medium have been coated with Zn(OH)2, SiO2and polystyrene (PS) shells as inorganic and organic passivation agents. to synthesize ZnS/Zn(OH)2, ZnS/SiO2and ZnS/PS QDs. PL properties of inorganically passivated ZnS/Zn(OH)2 and ZnS/SiO2 had reported band edge enhancement of 8-10 times, while organically passivated ZnS/PS QDs exhibit tremendous enhancement of band edge emission as much as 10-15 times,. Therefore inorganic and organic coating can passivate trap states of different energies on the surface of ZnS QDs.