Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Frederick V Mikulec

Moungi G Bawendi

Jin-Kyu Lee

Vikram C Sundar

A water soluble semiconductor nanocrystal capable of light emission is provided, including a quantum dot having a selected band gap energy, a layer overcoating the quantum dot, the overcoating layer comprised of a material having a band gap energy greater than that of the quantum dot, and an organic outer layer, the organic layer comprising a compound having a least one linking group for attachment of the compound to the overcoating layer and at least one hydrophilic group space apart from the linking group by a hydrophobic region sufficient to prevent electron charge transfer across the hydrophobic region. The particle size of the nanocrystal core is in the range of about 12&angst; to about 150&angst;, with a deviation of less than 10% in the core. The coated nanocrystal exhibits photoluminescende having quantum yield of greater than 10% in water.

Water-soluble fluorescent nanocrystals

A water soluble semiconductor nanocrystal capable of light emission is provided, including a quantum dot having a selected band gap energy, a layer overcoating the quantum dot, the overcoating layer comprised of a material having a band gap energy greater than that of the quantum dot, and an organic outer layer, the organic layer comprising a compound having the formula, SH(CH ) X, where X is carboxylate or sulfonate. The particle size of the nanocrystal core is in the range of about 12 &angst; to about 150 &angst;, with a deviation of less than 10% in the core. The coated nanocrystal exhibits photoluminescence having quantum yields of greater than 10% in wate.

Water-soluble thiol-capped nanocrystals

The present invention provides a composition comprising fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystals associated to a compound, wherein the nanocrystals have a characteristic spectral emission, wherein said spectral emission is tunable to a desired wavelength by controlling the size of the nanocrystal, and wherein said emission provides information about a biological state or event.

Biological applications of quantum dots

A water soluble semiconductor nanocrystal capable of light emission is provided, including a quantum dot having a selected band gap energy, a layer overcoating the quantum dot, the overcoating layer comprised of a material having a band gap energy greater than that of the quantum dot, and an organic outer layer, the organic layer comprising a compound having at least one linking group for attachment of the compound to the overcoating layer and at least one hydrophilic group spaced apart from the linking group by a hydrophobic region sufficient to prevent electron charge transfer across the hydrophobic region. The particle size of the nanocrystal core is in the range of about 12 &angst; to about 150 &angst;, with a deviation of less than 10% in the core. The coated nanocrystal exhibits photoluminescence having quantum yields of greater than 10% in water.

Growing community of inventors

Somerville, MA, United States of America

Frederick V Mikulec