Surface decorated quantum dots: Synthesis, properties and role in herbal therapy

Abstract

Quantum dots are the serendipitous outcome of materials research. It is the tiny carbonaceous nanoparticles with diameters ranging from 1 to 10 nm. This review is a brief discussion of the synthesis, properties, and biomedical applicability of quantum dots, especially in herbal therapy. As quantum dots are highly polar, they can be surface decorated with several kinds of polar functionalities, such as polymeric molecules, small functional molecules, and so on. The review also consists of the basic physical and optical properties of quantum dots and their excitation―dependent properties in the application section. We focus on therapeutics, where quantum dots are used as drugs or imaging probes. Nanoprobes for several diagnostics are quite new in the biomedical research domain. Quantum dot―based nanoprobes are in high demand due to their excellent fluorescence, non-bleaching nature, biocompatibility, anchoring feasibility for several analytes, and fast point―of―care sensibility. Lastly, we also included a discussion on quantum dot―based drug delivery as phytomedicine.

Physico-Chemical Properties of CdTe/Glutathione Quantum Dots Obtained by Microwave Irradiation for Use in Monoclonal Antibody and Biomarker Testing

“…Consequently, the synthesis employs a majority cadmium precursor with respect to telluride precursor to favor the formation of a nanocrystal surface rich in cadmium ions. Then, the valence levels will be passivated by the thiol group, supplying the stabilization [ 30 , 31 , 32 ]. This surface is a natural mono-thiol compound that exists in most organs at the mM level and has no cytotoxicity [ 33 ].…”