Copolymerization and Synthesis of Multiply Binding Histamine Ligands for the Robust Functionalization of Quantum Dots

• DOI: 10.1021/ma501955t
• Publication Date: 2014-11-20T03:59:19Z
• Authors: Anand Viswanath; Yi Shen; Alexandra N. Green; Rui Tan; Andrew B. Greytak; Brian C. Benicewicz
• Keywords: Methacrylamide; Surface Modification

The polymeric functionalization of quantum dots via ligand exchange is a robust method for the preparation stable fluorescent particles with high yields. For most biological applications dots, water solubility key requirement; to achieve biocompatibility, systems that can provide as well effective anchoring groups are advantageous. In this work, histamine functional polymers bearing poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) side chains were prepared using RAFT polymerization. A versatile postmodification strategy activated ester units N-methacryloxysuccinimide (NMS) and methacrylate in polymer chain afforded copolymers ranging from 6K 50K low polydispersities, along tailored composition each monomer copolymer chain. By controlling ratio, PEGMA molecular weight, time, temperature, could be tuned study its effect on dot functionalization. Representative oleate-capped CdSe/CdxZn1–xS QDs purified by recently established gel permeation chromatography (GPC) used test effectiveness histamine-bearing water-soluble QDs. Successful was characterized good dispersions water, lack aggregation between QDs, yields water. Overall, synthetic demonstrates facile formation multiply binding, copolymers, which applied nanomaterials fundamental investigations bioimaging/biodistribution studies.