Patent ID: 8969470
Filing Date: 2015-03-03
Classification: B82Y,C08F,G01N

Abstract:
1. A quantum dot-polymer nanocomposite for optical sensing comprising: a plurality of quantum dots bound to a hydrogel polymer network formed from a mixture of a first monomer selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid (AA) and methacrylic acid (MAA) and an acrylate monomer using a cross-linking agent to form a pH responsive co-polymer, the quantum dot-polymer nanocomposite being in contact with a solution having an initial pH, wherein the addition of a biological or chemical contaminant generates a change in pH of the solution and thereby causes an expansion or contraction of the hydrogel polymer network, a light scattering effect of the polymer network and spacing between the plurality of quantum dots each change in correspondence to the expansion or contraction of the hydrogel polymer network and results in a change in a fluorescence emission intensity therefrom, wherein the change in pH is detected by measuring the change in quantum dot fluorescence emission intensity.