Si/Si3N4 Nanoparticles for Biosubstance Labeling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional nanosized semiconductor particles used for biosubstance labeling face issues of environmental load, bio toxicity, chemical instability, and reduced light emission efficiency, particularly with CdSe/ZnS and Si/SiO2 systems, which degrade under UV exposure.
Innovation Solution
Development of Si/Si3N4 system nanosized particles with a Si core and Si3N4 shell, where the core diameter ranges from 1-50 nm and the shell thickness is 1-50 nm, subjected to hydrophilization treatment, and bonded with molecular label substances via organic molecules like biotin or avidin, manufactured through vapor phase reactions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If CdSe/ZnS nanosized semiconductor particles are used as marker substance, then light emission property is improved, but environmental load and bio toxicity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the harmful CdSe core material and replaces it with environmentally friendly Si core, while maintaining the protective shell structure. This removes the toxic component while preserving the functional shell that enables light emission enhancement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite Si/Si3N4 nanosized particle system where the Si core provides environmental friendliness and the Si3N4 shell provides optical enhancement and protective functions, achieving both low toxicity and high light emission performance.
2Stability of the object's composition
If Si/SiO2 system nanosized semiconductor particles are used, then chemical stability is improved compared to organic dyes, but Si oxidation occurs in aqueous dispersion reducing emission efficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The Si3N4 shell acts as an intermediary layer between the Si core and the aqueous environment, preventing direct contact and oxidation reactions while allowing optical energy transfer to enhance light emission efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a thin Si3N4 shell film that provides protective functionality against oxidation while maintaining optical transparency and flexibility for efficient light emission in aqueous environments.
3Ease of operation
If organic fluorescence dyes are used as marker substance, then labeling capability is achieved, but degradation under UV light occurs reducing sensitivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the short-lived organic dye molecules with stable inorganic Si/Si3N4 nanoparticles that resist degradation, providing long-lasting labeling capability without the need for frequent replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The composite Si/Si3N4 structure combines the chemical stability of inorganic materials with surface functionalization capabilities, achieving both durable UV resistance and effective biosubstance labeling functionality.
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 Si/Si3N4 system nanosized particles exhibit reduced environmental load, minimized bio toxicity, enhanced chemical stability, and improved light emission intensity with prolonged luminance, enabling effective biosubstance labeling.
Implementation Method 1
Si tends to be oxidized, depending on the environment despite the fact that a core made of Si is covered by a shell made of SiO2 (reaction between Si and oxygen in an aqueous dispersion)
Implementation Method 2
a method of manufacturing the Si/Si3N4 system nanosized semiconductor particle, comprising the step of conducting a vapor phase reaction between monosilane gas and ammonia
Implementation Method 3
Since nanosized semiconductor particles each have a particle diameter in the order of nanometers, it is known that a quantum size effect to increase band gap energy and so forth is produced, resulting in optical properties, exhibiting a light absorption property and light emission property
Implementation Method 4
subjected to hydrophilization treatment
Data Source
AI summary
An objective is to provide Si/Si3N4 system nanosized particles each exhibiting reduced environmental load together with minimized bio toxicity, excellent chemical stability, enhanced relative light emission intensity, and less degradation of emission intensity during continuous exposure to light; a biosubstance labeling agent capable of keeping on labeling a biosubstance exhibiting luminance enhanced for a long duration with the Si/Si3N4 system nanosized semiconductor particle of the present invention; and also a method of manufacturing the Si/Si3N4 system nanosized semiconductor particle of the present invention.