Synthesis and Characterization of CdTe@CdS Quantum Dots Layered on Silica Nanoparticles

Abstract

CdTe@CdS quantum dots, cationic polyelectrolyte poly-diallyldimethylammonium chloride, and anionic polyelectrolyte polyacrylic acid were assembled on the surface of silica nanoparticles based on the electrostatic layer-by-layer self-assembly to prepare fluorescent composite nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the particles had a uniform size distribution (approximately 70 nm) and good monodispersity. The fluorescence shielding effect of the silica shell was reduced and the assembled quantum dots were well protected by the sandwich structure. The nanoparticles provided strong fluorescence, high stability for storage, and low photobleaching and leakage. Furthermore, they possessed high fluorescence stability and high-concentration staining for cytoplasm, which enabled them to be used for sensitive cellular imaging analysis. Because of the presence of numerous carboxyl groups, they have potential application for biolabeling and bioanalysis.

Keywords:

• Cellular imaging
• Fluorescent composite nanoparticles
• Layer-by-layer
• Quantum dots
• Self-assembly

Acknowledgments

Bin Zhang and Zhi-Li Ge contributed equally to this work.

Notes

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