Encapsulation of Nanoparticles with Multifunctional, Cross-Linkable Diblock Copolymers for Biomedicine

摘要

A phase transfer system for nanoparticles into water using a novel ligand system based on poly(isoprene)-block-poly(ethylene glycol) ligands is described. After the micelle formation surrounds the particle, the poly(isoprene) moiety can be cross-linked. This leads to highly stable water-soluble nanoparticles while retaining physical properties of the particles material. For encapsulated CdSe/CdS/ZnS core/shell/shell quantum dots we obtained fluorescence quantum efficiencies in the 40-55 percent range and extraordinary fluorescence stability in the biological environment. Due to the synthesis of diblock copolymer by living anionic polymerization the chain end can be tailored by different strategies. This allows the control of the end groups, the charge and the bio-conjugation of the nanocontainer.