Polymer quantum dots derived from poly (3, 4-ethylenediioxythiophene) and its applications for optical sensing

• Main Author: Chew, Huai Ping
• Other Authors: Chen Peng
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2014
• Subjects: DRNTU::Engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/60246
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

The conventional commercially available fluorophores used to study & track biological activity suffer from several intrinsic drawbacks like rapid photo-bleaching making it difficult to carry out long-term imaging. Semiconductor QDs have been considered as alternatives but they may possess certain limitations such as poor photo-stability, cytotoxicity and carcinogenicity. Alternatively, a new breed of quantum dots derived from polymers possess certain advantages such as superior photostability, high biocompatibility, small size & tuneable optical properties thereby, promising them as superior substitutes for semiconductor QDs. Here, we have developed a new synthesis technique for novel QDs derived from poly (3, 4-ethylenedioxythiophene), (PEDOT) polymer. The polymer film used is synthesized specifically through electrochemical polymerization. A series of processing methods involving sonication, centrifugation, filtration and rotary evaporation are utilized during the QDs synthesis. Subsequently, the thus synthesized QDs have been used for specific mercury (Hg2+) sensing and optical imaging applications.