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Synthesis, Surface Modification and Purification of Silicon and Germanium Quantum Dots for Biological Applications

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dc.contributor.advisor Tilley, Richard
dc.contributor.author Shiohara, Amane
dc.date.accessioned 2010-11-29T20:16:30Z
dc.date.accessioned 2022-10-25T00:41:25Z
dc.date.available 2010-11-29T20:16:30Z
dc.date.available 2022-10-25T00:41:25Z
dc.date.copyright 2010
dc.date.issued 2010
dc.identifier.uri https://ir.wgtn.ac.nz/handle/123456789/22696
dc.description.abstract Quantum dots have applications in biomedical fields such as bio-imaging and drug delivery systems. This thesis describes research on silicon and germanium nanoparticles (quantum dots) synthesis and surface modification for biological applications. Purification methods of these quantum dots were also explored. In chapter 6 the application of silica nanoparticles into dry eye diagnosis was studied. The purpose of this research is to contribute the application of nanotechnology into biological fields. The crystalinity of the quantum dots was characterised by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Selected Area Electron Diffraction analysis (SAED). The molecules on the surface of the quantum dots were characterised by Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). Silicon quantum dots were synthesised with a microemulsion system and various types of molecules were attached on the surface of the silicon quantum dots. However, some of the capping molecules which have oxygen atoms tend to form bonds between oxygen and silicon. Therefore, in the later chapter (chapter 4) various chemical reactions were conducted on the molecules attached to the silicon quantum dots. The silicon quantum dots were capped with diene molecules and one of the double bonds was left on the terminal end. The terminal end double bonds were converted to the functional groups which contain oxygen atoms to form peptide bonds. In this way it was confirmed that it can reduce the risk of oxygen atoms to be attached on the surface of the silicon quantum dots. The molecules on the surface of the silicon quantum dots were characterised mainly by FTIR and 1H NMR. Optical properties and cyto-toxicity of these silicon quantum dots were also measured and analysed depending on the surface molecules. Two synthetic approaches were taken to produce germanium quantum dots. The first approach was the microemulsion system at room temperature. Different combinations of the surfactant and capping molecules were tested. For the second approach, high temperature bench top system was applied. In this method the bio-friendly molecules which have high boiling points were chosen as capping agents. The surface molecules were characterised by FTIR spectroscopy. In chapter 6 the synthesis of dye molecules conjugated silica nanoparticles was described. The purpose of this research is to produce biologically safe nanoparticles which can be applied in dry eye diagnosis. Three different dyes were used to conjugate with the silica nanoparticles. Only fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) succeeded in conjugating with the nanoparticles. Optical properties of this sample were measured and compared with the free dye molecule. Also the sample was applied in human eyes to analyse the tear film layer. An overall conclusion and future plans for the research were given in the last chapter.In this chapter, ideas of overcoming the problems and improving the techniques conducted in the research were described. en_NZ
dc.format pdf en_NZ
dc.language en_NZ
dc.language.iso en_NZ
dc.publisher Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington en_NZ
dc.rights No known rights restrictions other than copyright. en_NZ
dc.subject Surface modification en_NZ
dc.subject Quantam dots en_NZ
dc.subject Silicon en_NZ
dc.title Synthesis, Surface Modification and Purification of Silicon and Germanium Quantum Dots for Biological Applications en_NZ
dc.type Text en_NZ
vuwschema.contributor.unit School of Chemical and Physical Sciences en_NZ
vuwschema.subject.marsden 259999 Chemical sciences not elsewhere classified en_NZ
vuwschema.type.vuw Awarded Doctoral Thesis en_NZ
thesis.degree.discipline Chemistry en_NZ
thesis.degree.grantor Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington en_NZ
thesis.degree.level Doctoral en_NZ
thesis.degree.name Doctor of Philosophy en_NZ


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