Patent ID: 9546317
Date: 2017-01-17
CPC Classifications: B82Y,C01G,C01P,C09K,Y10T

Claim:
1. A method for making quantum dots suitable for bioconjugation, said method comprising the steps of: a. providing an aqueous solution of at least one metal salt, and at least one thiol-containing compound other than 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane; b. adjusting the pH of the aqueous solution of metal salt and thiol-containing compound to a pH of at least 8; c. adding a water-soluble sulfide to the aqueous solution of at least one metal salt, and at least one thiol-containing compound to precipitate metal sulfide and form quantum dots having thiol containing capping groups; d. quenching to about a freezing point of water to form a suspension of quantum dots; and e. after completion of step d, replacing at least some of the thiol-containing capping groups formed in step c, with a different thiol containing group derived from 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane.