Hydrophilic, bright CuInS2 quantum dots as Cd-free fluorescent labels in quantitative immunoassay

Langmuir. 2014 Jul 1;30(25):7567-75. doi: 10.1021/la501268b. Epub 2014 Jun 16.

Abstract

We report on the synthesis of core-shell CuInS2/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) in organic solution, their encapsulation with a PEG-containing amphiphilic polymer, and the application of the resulting water-soluble QDs as fluorescent label in quantitative immunoassay. By optimizing the methods for core synthesis and shell growth, CuInS2/ZnS QDs were obtained with a quantum yield of 50% on average after hydrophilization. After conjugation with an aflatoxin B1-protein derivative, the obtained QDs were used as fluorescent labels in microplate immunoassay for the quantitative determination of the mycotoxin aflatoxin B1. QDs-based immunoassay showed higher sensitivity compared to enzyme-based immunoassay.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Copper / chemistry*
  • Hydrophobic and Hydrophilic Interactions
  • Immunoassay
  • Indium / chemistry*
  • Quantum Dots*
  • Sulfides / chemistry
  • Zinc Compounds / chemistry*

Substances

  • Sulfides
  • Zinc Compounds
  • Indium
  • Copper
  • zinc sulfide