In this work Ru(II) polypyridine complexes were used as redox active molecules to study interactions with quantum dots (QDs) surface. The synthesis of cadmium telluride (CdTe) quantum dots passivated with the organic stabilizer mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) and with stabilizer mixture of MPA and L-cysteine (CYS) was carried out in aqueous solution via hydrothermal heating, and the synthesis parameters such as pH and Cd/Te/stabilizer ratio were fixed according to the literature. The colloidal dispersion was characterized by UV visible absorption spectroscopy, as well as infrared and photoluminescence. Absorption spectra were broad with a single band and the emission showed band maxima at 612 nm and 598 nm for CdTe-MPA and CdTe-MPA/CYS (labelled in this work as CdTe-CYS) respectively (indicating quantum confinement). Particle diameters were calculated using a cubic empirical formula based on the maximum absorption wavelength. Cyclic voltammetry showed the presence of anodic and cathodic peaks corresponding to redox processes of CdTe QDs. Electrochemical band gaps were estimated from the onset values of oxidation and reduction peaks, finding a correspondence with the optical band gaps estimated from absorption and emission spectra. Polypyridine ruthenium(II) complexes [Ru(bpy)3](PF6)2 and [Ru(Me-bpy)3](PF6)2 (labelled in this work as Ru-1 and Ru-2, respectively) were synthesized via hydrothermal method for 72 h at 170ºC. The solids obtained were characterized by UV visible spectroscopy and the main transitions involved in the polypyrinde complexes were observed. Fluorescence spectroscopy exhibited a band assigned to the radiative deactivation of the lowest energy excited state (3MLTC). A redox pair of the complex was observed in the cyclic voltammograms, assigned to Ru2+/Ru3+ metal center. The possibility of interactions between the quantum dots and the complexes was evaluated by electrochemical measurements. Anodic differential pulse voltammograms showed that the redox potentials of QDs were modified due to the presence of the Ru(II) polypyridine complexes onto the QD’s surfaces. Oxidation peak from QDs was shifted to more positive values while the complexes’s redox peaks shifted to less positive values, indicating that the system shows characteristics of a nanocrystal molecular conjugated. / Neste trabalho utilizou-se complexos polipiridínicos de Ru(II) como molécula redox ativa no estudo da interação com a superfície dos quantum dots (QDs). A síntese dos quantum dots de Telureto de Cádmio (CdTe) passivados com o estabilizante orgânico MPA (ácido mercaptopropiônico), e com a mistura de estabilizantes MPA e CYS (� – Cisteína) foi realizada em solução aquosa, via hidrotermal, e os parâmetros de síntese, como pH e relação Cd/Te/estabilizantes fixados conforme a literatura. A dispersão coloidal foi caracterizada por espectroscopia de absorção no UV Visível, no infravermelho e de emissão. Os espectros de absorção se apresentaram largos com apenas uma banda, e de emissão com máximo em 612 e 598 nm, para CdTe-MPA e CdTe-MPA/CYS (nomeado neste trabalho como CdTe- CYS), respectivamente (indicando confinamento quântico). Os diâmetros das partículas foram calculados usando-se uma fórmula empírica cúbica, a partir do comprimento de onda máximo de absorção. A voltametria cíclica mostrou a presença de picos anódicos e catódicos correspondentes a processos redox dos QDs de CdTe. Os band gaps eletroquímicos foram estimados pelos valores dos onsets e dos picos de oxidação e redução e encontrados correspondência com os band gaps ópticos estimados a partir dos espectros de absorção e emissão. Os complexos polipiridínicos de rutênio (II), [Ru(bpy)3](PF6)2 e [Ru(Me-bpy)3](PF6)2 (nomeados neste trabalho como Ru-1 e Ru-2, respectivamente), foram sintetizados através do método de síntese hidrotermal por 72 h a 170 ºC. O sólido obtido foi caracterizado por espectroscopia de absorção no UV Visível e principais transições eletrônicas envolvidas nos complexos polipiridínicos foram observadas, a espectroscopia de fluorescência exibiu a banda atribuída a desativação radiativa do estado excitado de menor energia (3TCML). Na voltametria cíclica foi observado um par redox do complexo atribuído ao centro metálico Ru(II)/(III). A possibilidade de interação entre os quantum dots de CdTe e os complexos foi avaliada por medidas eletroquímicas. Voltamogramas de pulso diferencial anódico mostraram que os potenciais redox dos QDs são modificados devido a presença dos complexos polipiridínicos de Ru(II) na superfície dos QDs. Os picos de oxidação dos QDs foram deslocados para potenciais mais positivos enquanto o pico redox dos complexos deslocou para potenciais menos positivos, indicando que o sistema exibiu características de um conjugado nanocristal-molecular.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The challenge of nanotechnology, the science that studies the phenomena as well as the manipulation of materials at nanoscale (1-100 nm) is the control of composition, shape and size of nanoparticles, parameters that influence the physical, chemical, optical and electronic properties. In this context, the so-called quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductor nanoparticles which have attracted considerable attention due to their heavily size-dependent optical and electronic properties. Cadmium sulfide (CdS) QDs exhibit important photoluminescent properties, allowing applications in optoelectronic systems, photocatalysis, photodegradation of pollutants in the water medium etc. In this work, we present the results of the synthesis and characterization of CdS nanocrystals, in the absence and in the presence of doping Mn (II) ions, supported on Montmorillonite thiolated (MT) as well as their application as photocatalysts. The materials were characterized by UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry, photoluminescence spectroscopy and High-Resolution transmission electron microscopy. The effects of nanoparticle size, evaluated first by UV-visible spectroscopy, showed that the absorption maximum changed from 470 to 460 nm for different proportions of the support relative to CdS precursors. The XRD patterns showed three peaks of CdS nanocrystals related to the cubic phase of CdS. The photoluminescence spectra have shown emission bands around 470, 476, 484 and 495 viii nm, attributed to direct recombination of electron-hole pairs, and the presence of a shoulder around 578 nm, attributed to radiative recombination in trap levels from surface deffects. HRTEM images for the sample of CdS/MT 200 mg suggest the presence of monocrystalline CdS nanocrystals with approximately 4.8 nm which assemble together forming polycrystalline aggregates with a size from about 45 nm intercalated into clay layers. The photocatalytic activity of CdS/MT and CdS:Mn / MT was studied by Rhodamine 6G (R6G) photodegradation under sunlight irradiation. The results have shown a decrease in the intensity of the bands in addition to a shift from 526 to 505 nm in the absorption maximum with increasing time. According to the results of photocatalysis after 80min practically all the dye had been degraded, on the other hand, for the adsorption test, after the first 20 minutes there were no significant changes in the dye concentration. The rate of decolorization of dye showed that after 80 min the QDs have an effective induction in the degradation of R6G and the photocatalytic decolorization of R6G can be described by a pseudo first order kinetic model. / O desafio da nanotecnologia, ciência que estuda os fenômenos e manipulação de materiais em escala nanométrica (1-100 nm), é o controle de composição, forma e tamanho de nanomateriais, parâmetros que influenciam as propriedades físicas, químicas, óticas e eletrônicas. Dentro desse contexto, os quantum dots (QDs) são nanopartículas semicondutoras que têm atraído uma atenção considerável devido as suas propriedades ópticas e eletrônicas, que são fortemente dependente da sua dimensão. Os QDs de sulfeto de cádmio (CdS) apresentam importantes propriedades de fotoluminescência, que possibilitam aplicações em sistemas optoeletrônicos, nanosemicondutores, fotocatálise, fotodegradação de poluentes na água etc. Neste trabalho, apresentamos os resultados da síntese, caracterização e aplicação em fotocatálise e adsorção dos nanocristais de CdS, na presença e na ausência de dopagem com íons Mn (II), suportados em Montmorilonita Tiolada (MT). Os materiais obtidos vi foram caracterizados por Espectroscopia de Absorção no UV-vis, Difração de Raios-X, Fotoluminescência e Microscopia Eletrônica de Transmissão de Alta Resolução. Os efeitos do tamanho das nanopartículas foram estudas por espectroscopia de UV-visível que mostraram uma absorção máxima em 470 e 460 nm para diferentes proporções da MT. Os difratogramas indicaram três picos relacionados às nanopartículas do CdS que corresponde a fase cúbica do CdS, o que foi corroborado com os dados de HRTEM. Os espectros de fotoluminescência mostram bandas de emissão em torno de 470, 476, 484 e 495 nm atribuídas à recombinação direta dos pares elétron-buraco, e a presença de um ombro em torno de 578 nm, atribuída a recombinação radiativa em níveis de armadilhas provenientes de imperfeições do material. As imagens de HRTEM para a amostra de CdS/MT 200 mg sugerem a presença de nanocristais de CdS monocristalinos, com diâmetro de aproximadamente 4,8 nm, agregados na forma de partículas policristalinas com um tamanho aproximadamente entre 45 nm intercalados nas lamelas da argila. A atividade fotocatalítica do CdS/MT e do CdS:Mn/MT foi estudada através da fotodegradação da Rodamina 6G (R6G) sob irradiação solar.Os resultados evidenciaram uma diminuição da intensidade das bandas e um deslocamento de 526 para 505 nm do máximo de absorção com o aumento do tempo, indicando a formação de intermediários de degradação. De acordo com os resultados de fotocatálise, após 80min de reação praticamente, praticamente todo o corante havia sido degradado, enquanto que para o ensaio de adsorção após os 20 primeiros minutos não houve mudanças significativas na concentração do corante nas amostras. A taxa de descolorização do corante mostrou que, depois de 80 min, os QDs tiveram uma efetiva indução na degradação da R6G e que a descoloração fotocatalítica da R6G pode ser descrita por um modelo cinético de pseudo primeira ordem.

Nanomateriais apresentam propriedades ajustáveis pelo seu tamanho e forma, como o fenômeno de superparamagnetismo em nanopartículas magnéticas ou o confinamento quântico dos portadores de carga em pontos quânticos (quantum dots). Assim, a síntese de nanopartículas esféricas monodispersas torna-se um fator extremamente importante, haja visto que tais propriedades podem ser ajustáveis para diferentes aplicações na área de tecnologia e biomedicina. Nanopartículas magnéticas e quantum dots podem ser apontados como promissores materiais para diagnóstico e terapia de neoplasias (câncer), e o desenvolvimento desses sistemas busca, atualmente, intensificar a magnetização e a eficiência de emissão, respectivamente, relativo às propriedades magnéticas e ópticas, além de outros requisitos. Neste trabalho, nanopartículas esféricas de cobalto metálico foram sintetizadas com diâmetro médio de 5,3 nm e desvio padrão de 0,4 nm, distribuição de tamanhos lognormal. A equação de Langevin modificada pelo modelo de partículas interagentes foi utilizada no ajuste da curva de magnetização M(H) para obtenção do diâmetro magnético médio e desvio padrão, 4,7 nm e 1,0 nm, respectivamente. Comparando os dois diâmetros, encontra-se uma camada morta de magnetização de aproximadamente 3,0 Å a qual, praticamente, não contribui para a magnetização da amostra, sendo a magnetização de saturação de 125 emu g-1. Nanoestruturas core/shell de Co/Au apresentaram a propriedade de ressonância plamon de superfície, uma propriedade adicional também desejada para aplicações biomédicas, sendo este sistema denominado magnetoplasmônico. Quantum dots de CdSe foram sintetizados como elevado controle de tamanho e forma. Utilizando rotas de síntese diferentes dos clássicos procedimentos denominados TOP-TOPO, e dióxido de selênio como precursor, estudos mostraram que na presença de um agente redutor no meio de reação e do solvente 1-octadeceno, as amostras apresentaram melhores propriedades óticas. A estrutura cristalina das amostras de CdSe corresponde à formação da fase blenda de zinco, diferentemente das sínteses TOP-TOPO que levam à formação da fase hexagonal wurtzita. A cinética de crescimento dos quantum dots de CdSe também foram avaliadas através de alíquotas retiras com o tempo de reação mostrando um crescimento exponencial do diâmetro das partículas, como previsto pelas teorias de nucleação e crescimento. Estudos por microscopia de fluorescência mostraram que os quantum dots apresentaram o comportamento de intermitência de fluorescência relatado na literatura como um dos fatores que levam a uma diminuição do rendimento quântico de fluorescência. Nanoestruturas core/shell de CdSe/ZnS foram obtidas com elevado controle da espessura da camada de recobrimento e a intensificação das propriedades de fotoluminescência foram mostradas. Os objetivos do trabalho foram alcançados com sucesso, onde foi possível observar a estabilização e a intensificação da magnetização da fase de cobalto metálico, pouco relatado na literatura. Ainda, foi possível conferir maior estabilidade química, versatilidade de funcionalização da superfície e uma segunda propriedade de ressonância plasmônica com o recobrimento com ouro, sem grande prejuízo da propriedade magnética. Em relação aos sistemas ópticos, os semicondutores de CdSe foram obtidos por nova rota de síntese com expressivo controle de tamanho e forma, recobertos com ZnS intensificando as propriedades ópticas do sistema.  / Nanomaterials properties are size- and shape-controlled, such as the superparamagnetism phenomenon of magnetic nanoparticles or the quantum confinement of charge carriers of quantum dots. Therefore, synthesis of monodisperse spherical nanoparticles became extremely important over the past few deacades, since nanoparticles can be used for plenty of applications in technology and biomedicine. Magnetic nanoparticles and quantum dots are promising materials for diagnosis and therapy of cancer. Spherical nanoparticles of metallic cobalt were synthesized with mean diameter of 5,3 nm and standard deviation of 0,4 nm, lognormal distribution. A modified Langevin equation using the interacting superparamagnetic model was used to fit magnetization curves obtaining the mean magnetic diameter and standard deviation, 4,7 nm and 1,0 nm, respectively. The difference between these two diameters was assigned to the magnetic dead layer (∼3.0 Å), which does not contribute to the sample magnetization, being the saturation magnetization of cobalt nanoparticles around 125 emu g-1. Co/Au core/shell nanostructures were synthesized and the surface plasmon ressonance property was observed, an additional property also desired for biomedical applications, being the Co/Au core/shell system called magnetoplasmonic. CdSe quantum dots were synthesized with high size- and shape-controlled. Using different synthetic routes from the classic TOP-TOPO synthesis, and selenium dioxide as a precursor, the results show that and reducing agent is necessary and 1-octadecene solvent leads to better optical properties. CdSe samples showed a zinc blend (cubic phase) crystal structure, different from TOP-TOPO syntheses that leads to wurtzite structure (hexagonal phase). The growth kinetics of CdSe particles were also evaluated through aliquots from reaction showing exponential growth of particles diameter, as predicted on the theory of nucleation and growth. Fluorescence microscopy studies showed that quantum dots exhibited fluorescence intermittence behavior already reported in the literature as one fo the reasons for the quantum yield decrease. CdSe/ZnS core/shell nanostructures were obtained with high control of the coating layer thickness and the increase of the photoluminescence properties were shown.

This thesis summarizes the methods of preparation and optical properties of hybrid assemblies of Au NPs and cadmium selenide (CdSe) QDs. First chap-ter deals with the literature survey and theoretical aspects of plasmonics and discussions on optical excitations of metal (plasmons) and semiconducting QDs (excitons). Variation of energy levels of CdSe QDs and its optical properties i e. absorption and emission properties under strong confinement regime have been discussed with respect to effective mass approximation (EMA) model. This is followed by the discussion on optical properties of Au NPs and rods, describing absorption properties, based on Mie theory. Size and shape depen-dent variation of absorption properties. Theoretical discussions of collective effects in QDs assemblies and plasmonic interactions with the QDs assemblies i.e. plasmonic Dicke effect and metal nanoantenna interaction with CdSe QDs arrays is provided. In the second chapter a discussion on experimental techniques used for the study is provided. It starts with a discussion on the synthesis methods for CdSe QDs and Au NPs/rods with different capping ligands. Different techniques of preparation of CdSe QDs assemblies and their hybrid with metallic nanoparti-cles has been discussed. Further discussion on optical microscopy techniques, confocal, near field scanning microscopy (NSOM), Brewster angle microscopy and electron microscopy techniques i. e transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy and thermogravimetry analysis of the samples is provided. In the third chapter the details of the different self-assembly methods of preparation of hybrid assemblies of CdSe QDs and Au NPs /rods are given. The different strategies are used for different type of hybrids. In first method of Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) , effect of different capping agents, core size, and number ratios of Au NPs/rods to CdSe QDs, effect of anisotropy of Au NPs on the LB films of CdSe QDs assemblies is discussed. In another method of dip coating several control parameters like dip time, concentration of the solution and dip speed of transferring an aligned GNRs is given. Finally a combination of LB and dip coating methods is described for transferring aligned GNRs over a compact layer of CdSe QDs. At the end, a section is devoted to hit and trials of self-assemblies of hybrid of GNRs and CdSe QDs using LB method, the failures of which resulted in devising a method which uses a combination of LB and dip coating. In fourth chapter effects of plasmons on the collective emission of CdSe QDs assemblies are investigated. A plasmonic tuning of photoluminescence from semiconducting QD assemblies using Au NP in different ratio and different packing density has been discussed. We have described how the emission from a closed pack assemblies, prepared with different packing densities depends on the packing density and extent of spectral overlap between QD photolumi-nescence and the metal nanoparticle absorbance. We have provided possible evidence for plasmon mediated coherent emission enhancement from some of these assemblies from the case of strong spectral overlap between CdSe QDs and Au nanoparticle. In fifth chapter, we have demonstrated non local far field enhancement of PL in QDs assemblies induced by isolated and partially aligned GNRs nano-antenna located on such assemblies. It is shown that the emission is also anisotropic with the maxima being near such GNRs assembly which decays to finite, nonzero and significantly large values even away from the vicinity of any such assemblies. For this novel effect it is shown to have a clear spec-tral dependence. It is shown to be maximum when the longitudinal surface plasmon resonance absorption maxima is resonant with the CdSe QD photolu-minescence maxima and the excitation wavelength and is always non-existent for the off resonant case. We have also shown that finite difference time do-main simulations could model some of the observed near field effects but the far field effects could not be modelled in such simulations.

Le phototransistor est un nouveau type de photo-détecteur avec une structure MOSFET spéciale qui peut non seulement convertir la lumière absorbée en variation de courant, mais également auto-amplifier ce photo-courant. En particulier, avec des progrès continus dans la synthèse des points Quantum Dots (QDs), les caractères optiques et électriques uniques renforcent le coefficient d'absorption et la génération des trous d'électrons par des processus intégrés faciles. Dans cette thèse, on a synthétisé les PdS infrarouges PbS avec une large absorption infrarouge (IR) (600-1400 nm) et un rendement élevé pour être mélangés avec l'isolateur de porte SU8 des TFT à faible température de poly-silicium (LTPS). Grâce à l'utilisation de cet isolateur de porte photo-sensoriel hybride, ces LTPS TFT peuvent encore obtenir d'excellentes performances électriques telles qu'une mobilité suffisante (3.1 cm2 / Vs), des caractères TFT stables, un rapport marche / arrêt raisonnable (104 ~ 105) et une tension sous-seuil /Déc). De plus, en cas d'exposition à la lumière infrarouge incidente, la sensibilité élevée (1800 A/W) et la sensibilité non négligeable (13 A/W) se trouvent respectivement à 760 nm et 1300 nm. De plus, la photosensibilité atteint également jusqu'à 80 et le temps de réponse est d'environ 30 ms pendant un balayage du signal IR pulsé. Elle prend des mesures concrètes pour l'application générale du phototransistor IR. / Phototransistor is a novel type of photodetector with special MOSFET structure which can not only convert absorbed light into variation of current but also self-amplify this photocurrent. Especially, with continual advances in quantum dots' (QDs) synthesis, the unique optical-electrical characters reinforce absorption coefficient and electron-hole's generation by easy integrated processes. In this thesis, the infrared PbS QDs with wide infrared (IR) absorption (600-1400 nm) and high efficiency were synthesized to be blended with SU8 gate insulator of Low-Temperature-Poly-Silicon (LTPS) TFTs. Through using this hybrid photo-sensing gate insulator, this LTPS TFTs can still obtain excellent electrical performance such as enough mobility (3.1 cm2/Vs), stable TFT's characters, reasonable on/off ratio (104~105) and subthreshold voltage (3.2 V/Dec). Moreover, under incident IR light's exposure, the high responsivity (1800 A/W) and not negligible responsivity (13 A/W) can be found at 760 nm and 1300 nm respectively. In addition, the photosensitivity also reaches up to 80 and the response time is approximately 30 ms during a pulsed IR signal's scanning. It takes concrete steps forward for the broad application of IR phototransistor.

There is a demand for new straightforward approaches for stabilization and solubilization of various nanoparticulate materials in their colloidal form, that pave way for fabrication of materials possessing compatibility with wide range of dispersing media. Therefore in this thesis a new general method to form stable nanocrystals in water and organics using amphiphilic polymers generated through simple and low cost techniques is presented and discussed. Amphiphilic coating agents are formed using thiolated or carboxylated polyethylene glycol methyl ether (mPEG-SH) as a starting material. These materials are available with a wide variety of chain lengths. The method of obtaining of amphiphilic NPs is quite general and applicable for semiconductor CdTe nanocrystals as well as nanoscale noble metal (Au) and magnetic (Fe3O4) particles. This approach is based on anchoring PEG segment to the surface of a nanoparticle to form an amphiphilic palisade. Anchoring is realized via interaction of –SH (for CdTe and Au) or –COOH (in the case of magnetite) functional groups with particle’s surface. The resulting amphiphilicity of the nanocrystals is an inherent property of their surface and it is preserved also after careful washing out of solution of any excess of the ligand. The nanocrystals reversibly transfer between different phases spontaneously, i.e. without any adjustment of ionic strength, pH or composition of the phases. Such reversible and spontaneous phase transfer of nanocrystals between solvents of different chemical nature has a great potential for many applications as it constitutes a large degree of control of nanocrystals compatibility with technological processes or with bio-environments such as water, various buffers and cell media as well as their assembly and self-assembly capabilities.

This thesis addresses electron spin phenomena in semi-conductor quantum dots/anti-dots from a computational perspective. In the first paper (paper I) we have studied spin-dependent transport through open quantum dots, i.e., dots strongly coupled to their leads, within the Hubbard model. Results in this model were found consistent with experimental data and suggest that spin-degeneracy is lifted inside the dot – even at zero magnetic field. Similar systems were also studied with electron-electron effects incorporated via Density Functional Theory (DFT) in paper III. Within DFT we found a significant spin-polarisation in the dot at low electron densities. As the electron density increases the spin polarisation in the dot gradually diminishes. These findings are consistent with available experimental observations. Notably, the polarisation is qualitatively different from the one found in the Hubbard model – this indicates that the simplified approach to electronelectron interaction in the Hubbard model might not always be reliable. In paper II we propose a spin-filter device based on resonant backscattering of edge states against a quantum anti-dot embedded in a quantum wire. A magnetic field is applied and the spin up/spin down states are separated through Zeeman splitting. Their respective resonant states may be tuned so that the device can be used to filter either spin in a controlled way. / <p>Report code: LIU-Tek-Lic 2005:65</p>

Doctor of Philosophy / Department of Chemistry / Stefan Bossmann / Estrogen-derived DNA adducts in human could be the initiating step of breast and prostate cancer, as the scientific literature suggests. Previous studies demonstrated that 4-hydroxy-estrone (estradiol)-1-N3Adenine and 4-hydroxy-estrone (estradiol)-1-N7Guanine were the most abundant adducts found in urine of human subjects. Sensitive detection of these adducts in urine samples could lead to better breast and prostate cancer risk assessment. The standard adducts were synthesized and characterized by NMR and mass spectrometry. Since these adducts are not fluorescent at room temperature an aminomethyl (-CH2NH2) linker was introduced at the C-17 position for derivatization with fluorescence label. This linker allowed to attach highly fluorescent water soluble quantum dots (QDs) for indirect adduct detection. A direct gram-scale synthesis of highly fluorescent, photostable water soluble QDs was executed by developing a new class of 4,4’-bipyridinium salt based twin ligands with 85% and 15% of carboxylic acid and maleimide termini, respectively. These ligands not only stabilized the QDs in water but also provided versatile linkers for two labeling strategies. The twin ligands were afforded by a facile synthesis through SN2 nucleophilic substitution reaction. Labeling of adducts was achieved via a covalent coupling between the (-CH2NH2) linker and the carboxyl (-COOH) terminal ligand on the QDs. However, ELISA experiments utilizing an IgM antibody didn’t reveal any measurable signal from adduct-QD complexes suggesting that one QD is bound to a large number of adducts through –COOH terminal ligands present on QD surface. To explore the binding capabilities of QDs in more detail, a maleimide terminal ligand (a twin partner on the QDs) was synthesized to explore the thiol (-SH) functionality of thiopyrene. Preliminary ELISA showed that these QDs gave detectable fluorescent signal originating from the [pyrene-S-QD] ̶ 8E11 monoclonal antibody (mAb) complex when QD was selectively excited at 470 nm. This clearly indicates that it is necessary to develop a strategy for a distinct 1:1 labeling procedure between QD and the adduct of interest. In addition, IgG (instead of IgM) antibodies should be developed for biosensor application. The latter could afford binding of mAb in upright position, leading to an increase in surface density of mAb and better detection limit.

In recent years, interest has grown in the research fields of semiconductor lasers and photonic crystals. This thesis looks at integrating photonic crystals into existing semiconductor laser technology to act as functional laser mirrors. The majority of the research is conducted on a quantum-dot material system. The surface recombination velocity of a GaAs based quantum-dot material is shown to be a similar value to InP material. This allows the creation of fine photonic crystal structures in the laser design without high threshold current penalties. The spectral reflection properties of a one dimensional photonic crystal is studied and found to be an unsuitable candidate for a stand-alone laser mirror, due to its low reflectivity. A two-dimensional photonic crystal W3 defect waveguide is successfully integrated as a quantum-dot laser mirror. Single fundamental mode output is achieved with a typically multi-mode 20 μm wide laser mesa, highlighting the mode selective property of the mirror. A similar two-dimensional mirror is studied for its potential as a dispersion compensating mirror for mode-locked lasers. Initial theoretical analysis shows pulse compression for a suitably designed mirror. Experimental continuous- wave results for the same mirror structure demonstrate the tuning of mirror reflectivity with photonic crystal hole radius. A hybrid silicon-organic photonic crystal laser is demonstrated with output in the visible spectrum. This design is a new type of silicon emitter.

In the following work, nanoparticle quantum dot (QD) fluorophores have been exploited to measure biologically relevant analytes via a miniaturized sensor ensemble to provide key diagnostic and prognostic information in a rapid, yet sensitive manner—data essential for effective treatment of many diseases including HIV/AIDS and cancer. At the heart of this “nano-bio-chip” (NBC) sensor is a modular chemical/cellular processing unit consisting of either a polycarbonate membrane filter for cell-based assays, or an agarose bead array for detection of biomarkers in serum or saliva. Two applications of the NBC sensor system are described herein, both exhibiting excellent correlation to reference methods ((R² above 0.94), with analysis times under 30 minutes and sample volumes below 50 [mu]L. First, the NBC sensor was employed for the sequestration and enumeration of T lymphocytes, cells specifically targeted by HIV, from whole blood samples. Several different conjugation methods linking QDs to recognition biomolecules were extensively characterized by biological and optical methods, with a thiol-linked secondary antibody labeling scheme yielding intense, specific signal. Using this technique, the photostability of QDs was exploited, as was the ability to simultaneously visualize different color QDs via a single light pathway, effectively reducing optical requirements by half. Further, T-cell counts were observed well below the 200/[mu]L discriminator between HIV and AIDS and across the common testing region, demonstrating the first reported example of cell counting via QDs in an enclosed, disposable device. Next, multiplexed bead-based detection of cancer protein biomarkers CEA, Her-2/Neu, and CA125 in serum and saliva was examined using a sandwich immunoassay with detecting antibodies covalently bound to QDs. This nano-based signal was amplified 30 times versus molecular fluorophores and cross talk in multiplexed experiments was less than 5%. In addition, molecular-level tuning of recognition elements (size, concentration) and agarose porosity resulted in NBC limits of detection two orders of magnitude lower than ELISA, values competitive with the most sensitive methods yet reported (0.021 ng/mL CEA). Taken together, these efforts serve to establish the valuable role of QDs in miniaturized diagnostic devices with potential for delivering biomedical information rapidly, reliably, and robustly. / text