Biomolecule-quantum dot systems for bioconjugation applications

In the present work, it is reported for the first time the bioconjugation of CdS quantum dots (QDs) directly with bovine serum albumin (BSA) using a one-step procedure via aqueous route at room temperature by methods of colloidal chemistry. Essentially, the bioconjugates were developed based on BSA as capping ligand for the nucleation and stabilization of CdS nanoparticles using cadmium perchlorate and thioacetamide as precursors. UV–visible spectroscopy was used to characterize the kinetics and the relative stability of CdS nanoparticles. The CdS nanocrystals were produced with the calculated average particle size below 4.0 nm, indicating they were in the so-called “quantum-size confinement range”. The results have clearly indicated that BSA was effective on nucleating and stabilizing the colloidal CdS quantum dots.

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► CdS quantum dots were prepared using bovine albumin (BSA) as capping ligand.
► CdS quantum dots/BSA bioconjugates were synthesized with particle size below 4.0 nm.
► The bioconjugates were produced at room temperature via aqueous colloidal chemistry.
► Novel nanostructured systems were developed for potential biomedical applications.