Satyapriya Bhandari

The pH taxis of an intelligent catalytic microbot.

A Pd nanoparticle-containing polymer microsphere moves with increasing speed across a pH gradient, following differential catalytic decomposition of aqueous hydrogen peroxide. The directional motion is akin to the pH taxis of living microorganisms. The artificial pH taxis exhibits random walk, translation, vertical, hopping, and pulsed motion, when the size of the motor and the imposed pH gradient are modulated.

Gold Nanocluster Embedded Albumin Nanoparticles for Two‐Photon Imaging of Cancer Cells Accompanying Drug Delivery

Gold nanoclusters in albumin nanoparticles (nanovehicles) are used for single-photon and two-photon imaging of cancer cells following the delivery of doxorubicin through the nanovehicle. NIR excitation and emission wavelengths in the biological window (650-900 nm) make the nanovehicle an ideal potential platform for imaging guided drug delivery.

Surface ion engineering of Mn2+-doped ZnS quantum dots using ion-exchange resins.

We report the engineering of surface ions present as defects in doped quantum dots (Qdots) following their synthesis. This was achieved by treating the Qdots with cation-exchange resin beads (CB). An aqueous dispersion of Mn(2+)-doped ZnS Qdots, when treated with different amounts of CB, resulted in two kinds of changes in the emission due to Mn(2+) ions. First, the intensity increased in the presence of a smaller amount of CB, to the extent of a doubled quantum yield. With increased CB as well as incubation time, the emission intensity decreased systematically, accompanied by an increasing blue shift of the peak emission wavelength. Electron spin resonance results indicated the removal of clusters of Mn(2+) present in the Qdots by the CB, which has been attributed to changes in the emission characteristics. Transmission electron microscopy studies revealed that for smaller amounts of CB there was no change in the particle size, whereas for greater amounts the particle size decreased. The results have been explained on the basis of the removal of Mn(2+) (and also Zn(2+)) ions present on the surfaces of Qdots in the form of clusters as well as individual ions.

Synchronous Tricolor Emission-Based White Light from Quantum Dot Complex

Herein we report the generation of synchronous tricolor emission for a single wavelength excitation from a quantum dot complex (QDC). The single-component QDC was formed out of a complexation reaction, at room temperature, between ligand-free Mn(2+)-doped ZnS quantum dots (Qdots) and a mixture of two organic ligands (acetylsalicylic acid and 8-hydroxyquinoline). Furthermore, the tunability in chromaticity color coordinates, which is important for solid-state lighting, was achieved following the synthesis of QDC. Moreover, the photostable QDC emitted white light (λex 320 nm) with (0.30, 0.33) and (0.32, 0.32) chromaticity color coordinates in the liquid and the solid phases, respectively. Hence, the white light-emitting QDC may be a superior material for light-emitting applications.

Gold nanocluster and quantum dot complex in protein for biofriendly white-light-emitting material

We report the synthesis of a biofriendly highly luminescent white-light-emitting nanocomposite. The composite consisted of Au nanoclusters and ZnQ2 complex (on the surface of ZnS quantum dots) embedded in protein. The combination of red, green, and blue luminescence from clusters, complex, and protein, respectively, led to white light generation.

Surface ion engineering for tuning dual emission of ZnxCd1−xS nanocrystals

Oleate capped Zn doped CdS (ZnxCd1−xS) colloidal nanocrystal exhibited dual emission, which was tunable by selective removal of the cations, over its surface and in its immediate vicinity, using cation exchange resin beads (CB). The near band gap emission disappeared more rapidly in comparison to deep level emission, the peak wavelength of which shifted by as much as 25 nm, while both exhibited increasingly faster decay.

Surface Complexation-Based Biocompatible Magnetofluorescent Nanoprobe for Targeted Cellular Imaging

We report the synthesis of a magnetofluorescent biocompatible nanoprobe-following room temperature complexation reaction between Fe3O4-ZnS nanocomposite and 8-hydroxyquinoline (HQ). The composite nanoprobe exhibited high luminescence quantum yield, low rate of photobleaching, reasonable excited-state lifetime, luminescence stability especially in human blood serum, superparamagnetism and no apparent cytotoxicity. Moreover, the nanoprobe could be used for spatio-controlled cell labeling in the presence of an external magnetic field. The ease of synthesis and cell labeling in vitro make it a suitable candidate for targeted bioimaging applications.

Double Channel Emission from a Redox Active Single Component Quantum Dot Complex

Herein we report the generation and control of double channel emission from a single component system following a facile complexation reaction between a Mn(2+) doped ZnS colloidal quantum dot (Qdot) and an organic ligand (8-hydroxy quinoline; HQ). The double channel emission of the complexed quantum dot-called the quantum dot complex (QDC)-originates from two independent pathways: one from the complex (ZnQ2) formed on the surface of the Qdot and the other from the dopant Mn(2+) ions of the Qdot. Importantly, reaction of ZnQ2·2H2O with the Qdot resulted in the same QDC formation. The emission at 500 nm with an excitation maximum at 364 nm is assigned to the surface complex involving ZnQ2 and a dangling sulfide bond. On the other hand, the emission at 588 nm-with an excitation maximum at 330 nm-which is redox tunable, is ascribed to Mn(2+) dopant. The ZnQ2 complex while present in QDC has superior thermal stability in comparison to the bare complex. Interestingly, while the emission of Mn(2+) was quenched by an electron quencher (benzoquinone), that due to the surface complex remained unaffected. Further, excitation wavelength dependent tunability in chromaticity color coordinates makes the QDC a potential candidate for fabricating a light emitting device of desired color output.

Surface complexation reaction for phase transfer of hydrophobic quantum dot from nonpolar to polar medium.

Chemical reaction between oleate-capped Zn(x)Cd(1-x)S quantum dots (Qdots) and 8-hydroxyquinoline (HQ) led to formation of a surface complex, which was accompanied by transfer of hydrophobic Qdots from nonpolar (hexane) to polar (water) medium with high efficiency. The stability of the complex on the surface was achieved via involvement of dangling sulfide bonds. Moreover, the transferred hydrophilic Qdots--herein called as quantum dot complex (QDC)--exhibited new and superior optical properties in comparison to bare inorganic complexes with retention of the dimension and core structure of the Qdots. Finally, the new and superior optical properties of water-soluble QDC make them potentially useful for biological--in addition to light emitting device (LED)--applications.

Enhanced photoluminescence and thermal stability of zinc quinolate following complexation on the surface of quantum dots

Reaction between colloidal ZnS nanocrystals (NCs) and 8-hydroxy quinoline (HQ) led to complexation on the surface of the NCs. The quantum dot complex (QDC), with ZnQ2 attached to the surface of the NC, has a longer emissive lifetime, higher fluorescence quantum yield and enhanced thermal stability, making it a better LED material than ZnQ2.