A Quick Guide to Understanding Amine Quantum Dots

Amine quantum dots represent a significant advancement in the field of nanotechnology. These nanocrystals are composed of semiconductor materials exhibiting quantum confinement effects. The term "amine" in amine quantum dots refers to the functional groups, particularly amino (-NH₂) groups, attached to the surface of these quantum dots. This functionalization enhances their stability and bio-compatibility, making them versatile in various applications.

Characteristics of Amine Quantum Dots

• Size-dependent Optical Properties

Amine quantum dots exhibit size-dependent emission colors due to quantum confinement effects. By precisely tuning their size during synthesis, researchers can control the wavelength of emitted light, enabling a wide range of applications in sensors and displays.

QDs structure and optical properties. [1]

• High Quantum Yield

These quantum dots possess high quantum yields, meaning they efficiently convert absorbed photons into emitted light. This feature makes them excellent candidates for fluorescence imaging and bio-labeling.

• Stability and Solubility

Amine-functionalized quantum dots are stable in different environments and exhibit high solubility in water and organic solvents, expanding their utility in biological and chemical applications.

• Biocompatibility

The amino functional groups on the surface of these quantum dots enhance their biocompatibility, enabling their use in bio-imaging, drug delivery, and therapeutic applications without causing significant cytotoxicity.

Why Amine Functionalization of Quantum Dots?

Common amine functionalized quantum dots include cadmium selenide (CdSe) quantum dots, cadmium telluride (CdTe) quantum dots, zinc sulfide (ZnS) capped quantum dots, and indium phosphide (InP) quantum dots. Functionalization of quantum dots with amine groups confers several advantageous properties, including:

• Improved Dispersion

Amine functionalization enhances the dispersion of quantum dots in solvents, facilitating their incorporation into various matrices for specific applications.

• Bioconjugation

Amino groups enable easy bioconjugation of biomolecules, such as antibodies or proteins, onto the surface of quantum dots for targeted imaging or drug delivery.

Bioconjugation of amine quantum dots. [2]

• pH Sensitivity

Amino groups can be tailored to exhibit pH-sensitive behavior, allowing for applications in pH-responsive drug delivery systems or biosensors.

Quick Selection List of Amine Quantum Dots

Catalog	Product Name
ACMA00000076	Amine Quantum Dots, Dispersion, λex = 425nm
ACMA00000079	Amine Quantum Dots, Dispersion, λex = 525nm
ACMA00000080	Amine Quantum Dots, Dispersion, λex = 540nm
ACMA00003152	Amine Quantum Dots, Dispersion, λex = 560nm
ACMA00003153	Amine Quantum Dots, Dispersion, λex = 580nm
ACMA00003154	Amine Quantum Dots, Dispersion, λex = 600nm
ACMA00003155	Amine Quantum Dots, Dispersion, λex = 620nm
ACMA00003156	Amine Quantum Dots, Dispersion, λex = 645nm
ACMA00003157	Amine Quantum Dots, Dispersion, λex = 665nm
ACMA00016788	CdS/ZnS quantum dots, amine functionalized, fluorescence: λem 450nm
ACMA00016837	CdSe/ZnS quantum dots, amine functionalized, fluorescence: λem 540nm
ACMA00016838	CdSe/ZnS quantum dots, amine functionalized, fluorescence: λem 560nm
ACMA00016846	CdSe/ZnS quantum dots, amine functionalized, fluorescence: λem 580nm
ACMA00016852	CdSe/ZnS quantum dots, amine functionalized, fluorescence: λem 600nm
ACMA00016861	CdSe/ZnS quantum dots, amine functionalized, fluorescence: λem 620nm
ACMA00016862	CdSe/ZnS quantum dots, amine functionalized, fluorescence: λem 645nm
ACMA00016989	CdSe/ZnS quantum dots, stabilized with octadecylamine ligands, fluorescence: λem 540nm, 5 mg/mL in toluene
ACMA00017008	CdSe/ZnS quantum dots, stabilized with octadecylamine ligands, fluorescence: λem 560nm, 5 mg/mL in toluene
ACMA00017039	CdSe/ZnS quantum dots, stabilized with octadecylamine ligands, fluorescence: λem 580nm, 5 mg/mL in toluene
ACMA00017107	CdSe/ZnS quantum dots, stabilized with octadecylamine ligands, fluorescence: λem 600nm, 5 mg/mL in toluene
ACMA00017131	CdSe/ZnS quantum dots, stabilized with octadecylamine ligands, fluorescence: λem 620nm, 5 mg/mL in toluene
ACMA00017164	CdSe/ZnS quantum dots, stabilized with octadecylamine ligands, fluorescence: λem 645nm, 5 mg/mL in toluene
ACMA00017418	CdSe/ZnS quantum dots, amine functionalized, fluorescence: λem 520nm
ACMA00022627	InP/ZnS quantum dots, stabilized with oleylamine ligands, fluorescence: λem 590nm, 5 mg/mL in toluene

Applications of Amine Quantum Dots

• Bioimaging

Amine quantum dots are widely used for cellular imaging due to their excellent photostability, brightness, and biocompatibility.

• Targeted Drug Delivery

Functionalized with targeting ligands, amine quantum dots can serve as carriers for targeted drug delivery, ensuring precise delivery to specific cells or tissues.

• Sensing and Detection

These quantum dots find applications in chemical and biological sensing due to their high sensitivity to environmental changes, making them valuable tools in diagnostics and environmental monitoring.

Amine quantum dots as fluorescent nanoprobes.[3]

• Light-Emitting Devices

Amine quantum dots are explored for use in next-generation light-emitting devices, such as LEDs and displays, offering superior color purity and brightness.

References

1. Xianhui Lian, et al. Frontiers in bioengineering and biotechnology, 2019, 7, 386.
2. Astrid Foubert, et al. TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry, 2016, 83, 31-48.
3. Shiyao Wang, et al. ACS Appl. Mater. Interfaces, 2022, 14, 31, 35299-35308.

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