Date of Award
8-2006
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Program
Chemistry
Department
Chemistry
Major Professor
Rosenzweig, Zeev
Second Advisor
Cole, Richard
Third Advisor
Wang, Guijun
Abstract
Luminescenct Quantum Dots (QDs) intrigue the interest of researchers with their properties of high quantum yield, broad absorption and narrow emission spectra. Since prepared in organic solvents, QDs are not suitable for biological systems. In my study, several methods of "cap exchange" were tested to enable forming water-soluble QDs with minimal aggregation .The QD-mercaptoacetic acid is simple to synthesize and has good water-solubility, but the QDs are not stable. The direct attachment of peptide molecules to the QDs can passivate the surface and enable water solubility of QDs. It is only applicable for phytochelatin-related peptides, not for all kind of peptides. The co-coupling peptide and PEG on QDs, has good water-solubility when the quantity of PEG and coupling agent EDAC are controlled. The enzymatic activities based on QDs FRET system at different environments was demonstrated and the results show that pH affect the enzymatic activity significantly.
Recommended Citation
Long, Ying, "Synthesis of Water Soluble Quantum Dots and their Application for Enzymatic Activity Measurements" (2006). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 408.
https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/408
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.