Title: Cadmium Free Quantum Dots for Diagnostics
Authors: Leisha Armijo1, Brian Akins2, John Plumley1, Nathaniel C. Cook2, and Marek Osinski3,4
Affiliations: 1Department of Nanoscience and Microsystems, Center for Microengineered Materials, University of New Mexico, 2Department of Electrical Engineering, University of New Mexico, 3Department of Physics & Astronomy, University of New Mexico, 4Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, University of New Mexico
Abstract: Quantum dots are of interest for bioimaging, drug targeting, and photodynamic therapy. However, a significant limitation is that QD's are typically cadmium-containing. Recent research has focused on non-cadmium containing QD's, which are anticipated to exhibit lower cytotoxicity. Previous work has focused on InP as an alternative semiconductor material for QD's, however, in a biological system, calcium replaces the indium. As an alternative, we have synthesized high quantum efficiency (~50%), color tuneable MnSe/ZnSeS QD's. Additionally, the manganese imparts magnetic properties which are important for magnetic field-guided transport and potentially magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The QD's will be further biofunctionalized via conjugation to a ligand or biomarker for disease allowing visual verification without the use of expensive diagnostic equipment.