Issue 3, 2014

A primer on the synthesis, water-solubilization, and functionalization of quantum dots, their use as biological sensing agents, and present status

Abstract

The use of nanomaterials, specifically fluorescent semiconductor quantum dots (QDs), for biological imaging and sensing has become very topical. Here we present a historical synopsis of research in this field to help elucidate the origins of the most recent advances in QD-based technology. We further aim to educate the novice researcher concerning many important aspects of QD synthesis, water-solubilization, functionalization, and usage in biological imaging and sensing that are generally not discussed in the literature. We will also summarize several recent transformative examples of using quantum dots for in vitro and in vivo studies.

Graphical abstract: A primer on the synthesis, water-solubilization, and functionalization of quantum dots, their use as biological sensing agents, and present status

Article information

Article type
Perspective
Submitted
17 Aug 2013
Accepted
08 Nov 2013
First published
11 Nov 2013

Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2014,16, 837-855

A primer on the synthesis, water-solubilization, and functionalization of quantum dots, their use as biological sensing agents, and present status

C. M. Tyrakowski and P. T. Snee, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 2014, 16, 837 DOI: 10.1039/C3CP53502A

To request permission to reproduce material from this article, please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

If you are an author contributing to an RSC publication, you do not need to request permission provided correct acknowledgement is given.

If you are the author of this article, you do not need to request permission to reproduce figures and diagrams provided correct acknowledgement is given. If you want to reproduce the whole article in a third-party publication (excluding your thesis/dissertation for which permission is not required) please go to the Copyright Clearance Center request page.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements