Quantum Dot Silica Nanoparticle Uniform Dispersion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing quantum dot-embedded silica nanoparticles exhibit reduced emission intensity due to quantum dots being concentrated in the central portion, and the use of nonionic surfactants in preparation methods can cause denaturation of biomaterials, leading to industrial problems.

Innovation Solution

Quantum dot-embedded silica nanoparticles are produced with a method that disperses quantum dots evenly throughout the nanoparticle, where the number of quantum dots within 10% of the radius from the center accounts for 10-70% of the total, using a silicon-containing alkoxide compound and organic solvent mixture, and the surface is modified with an organic molecule to create a biosubstance labeling agent.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If quantum dots are embedded in silica nanoparticle using conventional methods, then quantum dots are concentrated in the central portion, but emission intensity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveemission intensityVSAvoidquantum dot distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-mixing quantum dots with silicon-containing alkoxide compound and organic solvent before silica nanoparticle formation. This ensures quantum dots are uniformly distributed throughout the nanoparticle matrix from the beginning, preventing central concentration and maximizing emission intensity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the preparation parameters by using specific ratios of silicon-containing alkoxide compound to organic solvent, and controlling the amount of aqueous base added. These parameter changes enable uniform quantum dot distribution while maintaining high emission intensity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If nonionic surfactant is used in preparation process, then quantum dot embedding is facilitated, but biomaterial denaturation occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvequantum dot embedding easeVSAvoidbiomaterial stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the nonionic surfactant from the preparation process, replacing it with a surfactant-free system using silicon-containing alkoxide compound and organic solvent. This removes the harmful factor while maintaining the ability to embed quantum dots uniformly in silica nanoparticles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses silicon-containing alkoxide compound as an intermediary substance that facilitates quantum dot embedding without causing biomaterial denaturation. This intermediary replaces the harmful surfactant function while being biocompatible.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If additional steps are added to remove surfactant, then biomaterial stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebiomaterial stabilityVSAvoidpreparation process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the surfactant removal step from the preparation process by never introducing surfactant in the first place. This simplifies the manufacturing process while ensuring biomaterial stability from the beginning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method results in silica nanoparticles with enhanced luminance and a biosubstance labeling agent with improved emission intensity and stability, avoiding the issues of quantum dot concentration and surfactant denaturation.

Implementation Method 1

A semiconductor nanoparticle which is composed of a nanometer-sized semiconductor material and exhibits a quantum confinement effect is generally called a quantum dot

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectQuantum confinement effect:

Implementation Method 2

a quantum dot... emits an energy equivalent to the energy band gap of the quantum dot when absorbing light from an exciting source and reaching an energy-excited state

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Implementation Method 3

mixing a silicon-containing alkoxide compound and quantum dots to prepare a quantum dot-containing solution

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHydrolysis: Hydrolysis

Implementation Method 4

mixing an organic solvent, water and a base to prepare a mixture

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCondensation: Condensation

Data Source

PatentUS9023659B2Silica nanoparticle embedding quantum dots, preparation method thereof and biosubstance labeling agent by use thereof

Publication Date: 2015.05.05 KONICA MINOLTA MEDICAL & GRAPHICS INC

AI summary

Disclosed is a quantum dot-embedded silica nanoparticle having plural quantum dots embedded within the silica nanoparticle, wherein the number of quantum dots existing in a concentric area within 10% of a radius from a center of the silica nanoparticle accounts for 10 to 70% of the number of total quantum dots embedded in the silica nanoparticle.