InP/ZnS quantum dots stabilized with oleylamine ligands, fluorescence λem 620 nm, 5 mg/mL in toluene

InP/ZnS quantum dots

Applications

InP/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductor nanomaterials made of an Indium Phosphide (InP) core and a Zinc Sulfide (ZnS) shell. They exhibit unique optical and electronic properties due to their size-dependent behavior, including tunable absorption and emission spectra, high photoluminescence efficiency, and low toxicity compared to traditional cadmium-based quantum dots (such as CdSe).

Bioimaging and Medical Diagnostics

InP/ZnS quantum dots have emerged as an ideal candidate for bioimaging and medical diagnostics due to their high brightness, size-tunable optical properties, and relatively low toxicity. Their ability to emit light in the visible to near-infrared (NIR) regions makes them suitable for in vivo and in vitro imaging.

Key Applications:

Fluorescence Microscopy: InP/ZnS quantum dots are used in fluorescence microscopy for high-resolution imaging of cells, tissues, and biological samples. The high quantum yield and photostability of these quantum dots ensure bright and long-lasting images.

In Vivo Imaging: The NIR emission from allows for deep tissue penetration, making them ideal for imaging in living organisms. This enables better tracking of cellular activities, tumor targeting, and molecular imaging in medical diagnostics.

Cancer Diagnosis and Targeted Therapy: Functionalizing with targeting ligands (such as antibodies or peptides) allows for the targeted detection of tumor cells or biomarkers, enabling early-stage cancer detection and targeted drug delivery.

Advantages:

Low toxicity compared to traditional cadmium-based quantum dots.

High photoluminescence efficiency and long-term stability.

Tunable emission wavelengths for multiplexed imaging.

Solar Cells and Photovoltaic Devices

InP/ZnS quantum dots are actively being researched for use in quantum dot solar cells (QDSCs) due to their ability to absorb light efficiently and convert it into electricity. Their tunable bandgap allows them to harvest a broader portion of the solar spectrum, improving the overall efficiency of solar devices.