PNNL

Abstract

An inorganic/organic composite hybrid nano-system has been successfully synthesized in which nanocrystalline quantum dots (QDs) were effectively immobilized within a photo-cross-linked poly(ethylene glycol) hydrogel. Organometallic synthesis of CdTe and CdSe QDs was accomplished with a trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) cap. Replacing the TOPO cap with mercaptoacetic acid groups further yielded modified water-soluble nanocrystals. The immobilization of these functionalized CdTe and CdSe QDs within PEG hydrogel network has been shown to be effective through utilization of physical trapping. The CdTe and CdSe QDs had a particle diameter of 4.5 and 2.5-6.0 nm, respectively. The most efficiently trapped QDs had a size of 4.5 nm or larger. Particle size determination was derived from spectroscopic (absorption and photoluminescence) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopic techniques. These QD-immobilized gel systems demonstrated photoluminescence characteristics unique to semiconductor QD nanocrystals. The authors have envisioned the utilization of the unique photophysical properties of this material as a convenient signal transducer for in vivo biosensing. The most promising application of the described QD/PEG-NC hybrid system is in the fields of in vivo fluorescence microscopy and as a monitoring system for drug delivery and wound healing.