Quantum dots (QDs) are nanocrystals composed of semiconductors that have been used as probes, sensors, and labels in life sciences research for more than 25 years. Broad adoption of QDs has been impeded by nuances of their colloidal nature, often leading to unreliable measurements in the hands of end users. Coatings contribute to QD colloidal properties and major efforts have aimed to engineer hydrophilic adsorbates that stabilize QDs in aqueous solution while preventing nonspecific binding and steric hindrance that limit applications. This talk will describe the historical development of QD coatings, current challenges, and recent advancements in the field.
Quantum dots are semiconductor nanocrystals that absorb and emit light at wavelengths tunable by the size of the crystal. Size-tuning provides access to a broad range of optical spectra, however it is fundamentally problematic for many applications because it leads to a large mismatch in absorption cross-section and fluorescence brightness across a series of colors. We have recently demonstrated engineering strategies to generate multicolor, extinction-matched, and brightness-matched quantum dots based on colloidal multi-domain core/shell structures. We use alloyed cores with composition-tunable bandgaps and finely adjust the domain size and electronic properties of the shell to precisely match both absorption cross-section and quantum yield. Using this strategy, it is possible to tune fluorescence wavelength, extinction, and quantum yield independently, vastly expanding the photophysical landscape of these materials. Moreover compared with conventional size-tuning strategies, this enables access to a wider spectral range with compact dimensions. The equalized optical properties translate from the ensemble level down to the single-molecule level, setting the stage for new possibilities in highly quantitative, multiplexed imaging in cells and tissue. However selection of appropriate structural parameters to generate specific optical properties is challenging without insight into the photophysics of these materials. Here we describe the evolution of the optical properties of alloyed cores during the shell growth process that provide new insights into general engineering strategies.
Conference Committee Involvement (4)
Quantum Sensing and Nano Electronics and Photonics XXI
25 January 2025 | San Francisco, California, United States
Reporters, Contrast Agents and Molecular Probes for Biomedical Applications XV
25 January 2025 | San Francisco, California, United States
Reporters, Markers, Dyes, Nanoparticles, and Molecular Probes for Biomedical Applications XV
30 January 2024 | San Francisco, California, United States
Reporters, Markers, Dyes, Nanoparticles, and Molecular Probes for Biomedical Applications XIV
31 January 2023 | San Francisco, California, United States
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