New Generation Cadmium-Free Quantum Dots for Biophotonics and Nanomedicine

This review summarizes recent progress in the design and applications of cadmium-free quantum dots (Cd-free QDs), with an emphasis on their role in biophotonics and nanomedicine. We first present the features of Cd-free QDs and describe the physics and emergent optical properties of various types of Cd-free QDs whose applications are discussed in subsequent sections. Selected specific QD systems are introduced, followed by the preparation of these Cd-free QDs in a form useful for biological applications, including recent advances in achieving high photoluminescence quantum yield (PL QY) and tunability of emission color. Next, we summarize biophotonic applications of Cd-free QDs in optical imaging,…

• AF
  Agency for Science, Technology and Research

  Award: 11235100003
• MO
  Ministry of Education - Singapore

  Awards: M4010360.040 RG29/10, M4020020.040 ARC2/11
• NT
  Nanyang Technological University

  Awards: 11235100003, M4061202.040
• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Awards: 61235012, 61335001, 81501213, 81301318
• MO
  Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China

  Awards: 2015CB352005, 2012CB85802
• NS
  Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province

  Award: 2014A030312008
• CS
  China Scholarship Council
• RF
  Research Foundation for the State University of New York
• NK
  National Key Research and Development Program of China

  Award: 2015CB352005