Development Characterization and Processing of Quantum Dots for Imaging in UV Visible Range

Abstract

This thesis work preferentially concerned with the synthesis of quantum dots (QDs) by solution growth method at room temperature and their characterization. Excellent structural and optical and surface properties have been attained like high luminescence and stable structure. Prepared quantum dots structures and core/shell quantum dots structure are cadmium selenide (CdSe), Zinc sulfide (ZnS) and Cadmium selenide/ Zinc sulfide (CdSe/ZnS). The work has been systematically described in five different chapters as follows: Chapter I - Contains a brief introduction of quantum dots, core/shell quantum dots and their applications especially in the field of biology. Chapter II - Describes the synthesis of quantum dots, core/shell structures and encapsulated quantum dots and the experimental techniques used for the characterization of prepared materials (QDs) for structural, optical and surface properties. Chapter III - Shows the development and analysis of CdSe, ZnS and CdSe/ZnS core/shell quantum dots (QDs), to study their structural properties, optical properties and surface nature. All the quantum dots have been prepared by wet chemical method using 2-mercaptoethanol as a stabilizer. We have employed UV-Vis Spectroscopy (Abs), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Diffraction spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier Transform Infrared Microscopy (FTIR), Fluorescence microscopy techniques to characterize ZnS, CdSe and CdSe/ZnS core/shell quantum dots (QDs). Chapter IV- Deals with the biocompatibility and toxicity of polymer encapsulated quantum dots and cytotoxicity testing for in vivo purposes specifically.