Quantum dots compatibility

For biological applications of quantum dots it is important to develop the technology for water soluble highly luminescent cadmium selenide nanocrystals. Obviously, the as-synthesized hydrophobic nanocrystals can not be utilized as fluorescent markers in immunoanalysis since such material must be water compatible [1-2]. 

Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductor nanocrystals with unique and size-dependent electronic and fluorescent properties. The properties of QDs have sparked interest in many commercial applications, including computing, photovoltaic cells, and biological labeling. CdSe QDs are the most common type of QDs considered for use in biological applications. The CdSe core is often surrounded by another semiconductor shell, such as ZnS, to enhance emission properties. The shell of QDs can be capped with functionalized thiol molecules to make them water soluble and may be additionally coated with polymer or protein coatings to make them biologically compatible. 

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