Date of Award

5-2005

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Program

Chemistry

Department

Chemistry

Major Professor

Rosenzweig, Zeev

Second Advisor

Tarr, Matthew

Third Advisor

Whittenburg, Scott

Abstract

CdSe semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum dots--QDs) with diameters ranging between 1.5 and 8 nm exhibit strong, tunable luminescence [1-5]. They have been widely investigated for their size-dependent optoelectronic properties [6], and for their potential use in optical devices [7], biological labels [8] and sensors [9]. Luminescent quantum dots (QDs) show higher photostability and narrower emission peaks compared to organic fluorophores [8]. The objective of my project was to apply QDs magnetic/luminescent nanoparticle as biological labels in cells. Luminescent CdSe QDs emit bright visible light with high quantum yield and sharp emission peak. The CdSe QDs were capped with a ZnS layer. This increased their emission efficiency and photostability due to the larger band gap of ZnS. The QDs were transferred from organic solvent (e.g. chloroform, hexane) to water by exchanging the capping group (Trioctylphosphine Oxide—TOPO) with mercaptoacetic acid. To develop a separation and detection tool for cells, we combined γ-Fe2O3 magnetic particles with CdSe/ZnS QDs in core-shell composite. The composite nanoparticles showed strong fluorescence emission and high water solubility. Different antibodies were attached to the particles through EDAC coupling. The antibody-coated particles were used to successfully separate and detect breast cancer cells in blood cells.

Rights

The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.

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