Preparation of ZnSe Quantum Dots by Ferritin

Abstract

Zinc selenide quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized in the cavity of iron-free protein of ferritin (apoferritin) from horse spleen (HsAFr) by a chemical reaction system which employs tetraaminezinc ion and selenourea. From the results, it was oncluded that the size of the ZnSe QDs could be controlled by altering the reaction time and the molar ratio of [Zn]/[Se]. The obtained QDs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-Vis spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. With increasing the reaction time and decreasing the ratio of [Zn]/[Se], the QD size and PL intensity were increased. With the present technique, the size of ZnSe QDs could be controlled from 1.8 to 6.6 nm effectively and the narrow QD size distribution could be obtained. Indeed, the present technique may be applied for the preparation of ZnSe QDs with ferritin as a useful sensor media for biosensing.