We describe a new class of ligands for semiconductor nanoparticles (quantum dots = QDs),
which bind well and allow for their facile dissolution in aqueous solution. As a proof
of principle, we have designed and synthesized a novel bis(phosphine)-modified peptide
(BPMP) and shown that it has the ability to solubilize quantum dots in aqueous media.
We further showed that the corresponding phosphine oxide derivatives of these new
ligands are less good at solubilizing the quantum dots. These new bis(phosphine)-modified
peptide ligands are easy to prepare and may well replace thiol-containing binding
sequences in functionalized peptides for quantum dot coating, potentially resulting
in quantum dots with higher quantum yields.
Key words
bis(phosphine)-modified peptides - nanoparticles - quantum dots - quantum dot stabilization
- ligands