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Microfluidic chip enabled one-step synthesis of biofunctionalized CuInS2/ZnS quantum dots
Siyi Hu1, Butian Zhang2, Shuwen Zeng3
1CAS Key Laboratory of Bio-medical Diagnostics, Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, No.88 Keling Road, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215163, P.R. China. mahb@sibet.ac.cn.
Lab on a Chip
|July 23, 2020
Summary
This study introduces a one-step microfluidic method for creating advanced biofunctionalized quantum dots (QDs). These near-infrared emitting CuInS2/ZnS QDs show promise as fluorescent labels for targeted bioimaging applications.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Conventional synthesis of biofunctionalized quantum dots (QDs) is complex and limits performance.
- Existing methods for CuInS2/ZnS QDs are not amenable to a 'one-step' approach, hindering rapid development.
- There is a need for efficient, automated methods to produce high-performance biofunctionalized QDs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a fully automated, one-step method for synthesizing denatured bovine serum albumin (dBSA)-CuInS2/ZnS quantum dots using microfluidic chips.
- To optimize reaction parameters for tunable emission wavelengths and desirable photophysical properties.
- To demonstrate the utility of these QDs as targeted fluorescent labels in bioimaging applications.
Main Methods:
- Utilized microfluidic (MF) chips for a fully automated, one-step synthesis of dBSA-CuInS2/ZnS QDs.
- Investigated and optimized reaction parameters to control QD properties, including emission wavelength.
- Functionalized QDs with folic acid and hyaluronic acid for targeted bioimaging studies.
Main Results:
- Successfully synthesized dBSA-CuInS2/ZnS QDs with tunable near-infrared emission (650-750 nm).
- Achieved QDs with a long fluorescence lifetime (153.76 ns) and small particle size (5 ± 2 nm).
- Demonstrated effective target bioimaging in macrophages, liver cancer cells, and pancreatic cancer cells using functionalized QDs.
Conclusions:
- The one-step microfluidic approach offers a rapid, cost-effective platform for producing complex QD formulations.
- dBSA-CuInS2/ZnS QDs synthesized via MF are suitable optical contrast agents for targeted bioimaging.
- This automated synthesis method opens possibilities for diverse bioapplications requiring customized QDs.
