U.S. patent application number 12/941561 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-03 for fluorescent carbon nanoparticles.
This patent application is currently assigned to CLEMSON UNIVERSITY. Invention is credited to Ya-Ping Sun.
Application Number | 20110049412 12/941561 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37968608 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110049412 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sun; Ya-Ping |
March 3, 2011 |
Fluorescent Carbon Nanoparticles
Abstract
Disclosed are photoluminescent particles. The particles include
a core nano-sized particle of carbon and a passivation agent bound
to the surface of the nanoparticle. The passivation agent can be,
for instance, a polymeric material. The passivation agent can also
be derivatized for particular applications. For example, the
photoluminescent carbon nanoparticles can be derivatized to
recognize and bind to a target material, for instance a
biologically active material, a pollutant, or a surface receptor on
a tissue or cell surface, such as in a tagging or staining
protocol.
Inventors: |
Sun; Ya-Ping; (Clemson,
SC) |
Assignee: |
CLEMSON UNIVERSITY
Clemson
SC
|
Family ID: |
37968608 |
Appl. No.: |
12/941561 |
Filed: |
November 8, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11814410 |
Jul 20, 2007 |
7829772 |
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12941561 |
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PCT/US06/42233 |
Oct 27, 2006 |
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11814410 |
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60730790 |
Oct 27, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
252/62.51R ;
252/301.4R; 428/402; 428/403; 977/775 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 428/2998 20150115;
G01N 33/587 20130101; C01B 32/05 20170801; Y10T 428/2982 20150115;
Y10S 977/773 20130101; Y10S 977/702 20130101; Y10S 977/703
20130101; C09K 11/025 20130101; C09K 11/65 20130101; Y10S 977/70
20130101; Y10S 977/704 20130101; Y10T 428/2991 20150115; Y10S
977/705 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
252/62.51R ;
428/402; 428/403; 252/301.4R; 977/775 |
International
Class: |
C09K 11/08 20060101
C09K011/08; B32B 5/16 20060101 B32B005/16; H01F 1/00 20060101
H01F001/00 |
Claims
1-27. (canceled)
28. A nanoparticle comprising a carbon core and a passivation agent
coupled to the carbon core, wherein the carbon core is less than
about 100 nanometers in size, wherein the nanoparticle is
photoluminescent.
29. The nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the carbon core defines a
surface, and the surface is photoluminescent due to the presence of
the passivation agent coupled to the carbon core.
30. The nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the carbon core defines a
surface, and comprises excitation energy traps existing at the
surface; and wherein the passivation agent stabilizes at least some
of the excitation energy traps to encourage or stabilize the
radiative recombination of excitons.
31. The nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the passivation agent
forms a coating over at least a portion of the surface of the
carbon core; the passivation agent is covalently bound to the
surface at multiple locations; and the surface comprises bonding
sites.
32. The nanoparticle of claim 1, further comprising a material
embedded on the surface of the carbon core.
33. The nanoparticle of claim 5, wherein the material is chosen
from metal and magnetic material.
34. The nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the carbon core comprises
a thermally carbonized particle of a carbon-rich polymer.
35. The nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the passivation agent is
chosen from poly(lactic acid), poly(ethylene glycol),
poly(propionylethylenimine-co-ethylenimine), and poly(vinyl
alcohol).
36. The nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the passivation agent
comprises a reactive functionality specific to a surface receptor
of E. coli, a surface receptor of L. monocytogenes, a ligand
particular to an antibody, a haptens particular to an antibody, a
complete antigen, or an epitope of an antigen.
37. The nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the carbon core comprises
carbon, nickel, and yttrium.
38. The nanoparticle of claim 10, wherein carbon is present in an
amount of about 95%, nickel is present in an amount of about 4%,
and yttrium is present in an amount of about 1%, based on the
weight of the carbon core.
39. The nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the carbon core is less
than about 30 nanometers in size.
40. The nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the carbon core comprises
crystalline carbon.
41. The nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the passivation agent is a
polymer.
42. The nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the passivation agent is a
biopolymer.
43. The nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the passivation agent is
covalently bonded to the carbon core.
44. The nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the passivation agent is
non-covalently bonded to the carbon core.
45. The nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the passivation agent
comprises a protein or a peptide.
46. The nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the passivation agent is
bound to a drug.
47. A luminescent ink comprising a nanoparticle comprising a carbon
core and a passivation agent coupled to the carbon core, wherein
the carbon core is less than about 100 nanometers in size, wherein
the nanoparticle is photoluminescent.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority to PCT International
Application Serial No. PCT/US2006/042233 filed Oct. 27, 2006, which
claims filing benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser.
No. 60/730,790 filed on Oct. 27, 2005, which is hereby incorporated
by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Particles having extremely large surface area to volume
ratios can exhibit unique and often surprising characteristics. In
particular, nanoparticles, i.e., particles of less than about 100
nm in size, can exhibit properties including physical, electronic,
optical, and catalytic properties unequaled by their macroscopic
counterparts. The formation of light emitting nanoparticles is one
area where this phenomenon is being taken advantage of. For
instance, light emitting nano-sized particles have been proposed
for use in measuring and sensing applications, in light emitting
display devices, and in coherent light generation and optical gain
applications, among others.
[0003] Known light emitting nanoparticles are either silicon
nanoparticles or luminescent quantum dots. Silicon nanoparticles
are not naturally luminescent, but can be surface treated to
exhibit photoluminescence, usually via oxidation and optionally
followed by addition of a secondary material to form a desired
surface end group. Quantum dots are fluorescent semi-conductor or
metal nanoparticles that can be passivated and/or capped to obtain
the desired optical and physical characteristics. In either case,
the materials and/or formation methods are usually expensive,
complicated, and often suitable for forming only very small amounts
of the luminescent materials. Moreover, many of the materials, for
instance lead- or cadmium-containing semiconductor materials, are
less than attractive for medical or biological-based applications
due to possible toxicity of the materials.
[0004] What is need in the art are luminescent materials that can
be formed from inexpensive, abundant starting materials and
according to relatively simple, inexpensive methods. Moreover, what
is need in the art are formation methods that can be scaled up to
provide large quantities of the luminescent materials.
SUMMARY
[0005] In one embodiment, the disclosed subject matter is directed
to a photoluminescent nanoparticle that includes a carbon core of a
size less than about 100 nm. For example, the carbon care can
include amorphous carbon. The carbon core can be smaller, in some
embodiments. For example, the carbon core can be less than about 30
nm in size, or between about 1 nm and about 10 nm in size.
[0006] Coupled to the carbon core can be a passivation agent. A
passivation agent can be, for example, a polymer or a biopolymer.
The passivation agent can be coupled to the carbon core in any
suitable fashion such as, for example, covalent bonding between the
two. In one embodiment, a passivation agent can retain a reactive
functionality.
[0007] A photoluminescent nanoparticle as described herein can
include additional materials. For example, a material (e.g., a
metal or a magnetic material) can be embedded in or on the carbon
core. In one embodiment, a member of a specific binding pair can be
bound to the passivation agent, for instance via a reactive
functional chemistry retained on the passivation agent following
binding of the passivation agent to the carbon core.
[0008] In another embodiment, the disclosed subject matter is
directed to methods of forming a photoluminescent carbon
nanoparticle. Methods can include, for instance, forming a carbon
core, for example via laser ablation of graphite or electric arc
discharge of a carbon powder. A formation method can include
coupling a passivation agent to a carbon core according to any
suitable method. In one embodiment, a formation method can include
binding an additional material, for instance a member of a specific
binding pair, to a carbon nanoparticle, for instance via the
passivation agent.
[0009] A photoluminescent carbon nanoparticle can be used in many
applications. For example, a photoluminescent carbon nanoparticle
can be used to detect a compound in a test sample by contacting a
sample with a carbon nanoparticle and binding a compound that is in
the sample to the carbon nanoparticle to form a complex. The
compound can then be detected by the photoluminescent properties of
the complex.
[0010] In particular, the photoluminescent properties of the
complex can differ from those of the compound, the carbon
nanoparticle, or both. For example, the starting carbon
nanoparticle can be photoluminescent and upon binding with the
compound, those photoluminescent properties can be quenched such
that the formed complex exhibits little or no luminescence. In
another embodiment, the starting carbon nanoparticle can exhibit
little or no photoluminescence and the compound can act as a
passivation agent such that upon formation of the complex, the
complex exhibits photoluminescence. In yet another embodiment, a
photoluminescent carbon nanoparticle can tag a non-luminescent
compound and the complex can also be photoluminescent and thus
detectable.
[0011] Exemplary compounds that can bind to a carbon nanoparticle
as described herein can include, without limitation, a compound at
a surface of a living organism (e.g., a cell surface receptor), a
biologically active material, or an environmentally hazardous
substance.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0012] A full and enabling disclosure of the present subject
matter, including the best mode thereof, to one of ordinary skill
in the art, is set forth more particularly in the remainder of the
specification, including reference to the accompanying figures, in
which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a transmission electron microscopy (TEM) image
(dark field) of carbon nanoparticles coated with PEG.sub.1500N as
described in Example 1;
[0014] FIG. 2 includes a series of photographs of an aqueous
solution of the PEG.sub.1500N coated carbon nanoparticles of
Example 1 excited at 400 nm and photographed through different
band-pass filters;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a series of photographs of an aqueous suspension
of the PEG.sub.1500N coated carbon nanoparticles of Example 1
excited at various wavelengths and photographed directly;
[0016] FIG. 4A-4C are confocal microscopy images of the
PEG.sub.1500N coated carbon nanoparticles of Example 1 excited at
different excitation wavelengths and with different band-pass
filters;
[0017] FIG. 5 is the absorption and emission spectra of carbon
nanoparticles coated with a
poly(propionylethylenimine-co-ethylenimine) (PPEI-EI) copolymer, as
described in Example 2;
[0018] FIG. 6 is an SEM image of as-produced (from arc-discharge
method) carbon nanoparticles embedded with Ni/Y.
[0019] FIG. 7A are microscopy images for the luminescence labeling
of L. monocytogene Scott A cells with PEG.sub.1500N-functionalized
carbon nanoparticles (FIG. 7Aa: confocal, and FIG. 7Ab: bright
field); and for the same labeling of E. coli ATCC 25922 cells in
the confocal imaging with different excitation/long-path detection
filter of (FIG. 7Ac) 458/475 nm, (FIG. 7Ad) 477/505 nm, and (FIG.
7Ae) 514/560 nm;
[0020] FIG. 7B are confocal (FIG. 7Ba) and bright-field (FIG. 7Bb)
images for the luminescence labeling of pathogenic E. coli O157:H7
cells through the specific targeting with the immuno-carbon
nanoparticles (anti-E. coli O157 coating);
[0021] FIG. 8 illustrates a plot of the luminescence quenching
ratio (intensity without quencher)/(intensity with quencher),
I.sub.0/I, for PEG.sub.1500N-functionalized carbon nanoparticles as
a function of the quencher N,N-diethylaniline (DEA) concentration;
and
[0022] FIG. 9 illustrates the luminescence quenching of
PEG.sub.1500N-functionalized carbon nanoparticles in ethanol
solution by nitrobenzene (A: spectral intensities decrease with the
increasing quencher concentration; and B: the Stern-Volmer
plot).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments
of the disclosed subject matter, one or more examples of which are
set forth below. Each embodiment is provided by way of explanation,
not limitation, of the subject matter. In fact, it will be apparent
to those skilled in the art that various modifications and
variations may be made without departing from the scope or spirit
of the disclosure. For instance, features illustrated or described
as part of one embodiment, may be used in another embodiment to
yield a still further embodiment.
[0024] The present disclosure is generally directed to luminescent
nanoparticles and methods for forming the luminescent
nanoparticles. In particular, luminescent nanoparticles herein
disclosed can be photoluminescent and can include a core of a
carbon nanoparticle and one or more materials bound to the surface
of the carbon nanoparticle.
[0025] While not wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it
is believed that the electronic states of disclosed nanoparticles
can be understood from a combination of both quantum confinement
effects and surface passivation effects. Specifically, it is
believed that a combination of both quantum confinement and surface
passivation can determine the properties of the electronic states
of the nanoparticles, and under suitable excitation, nanoparticles
as herein disclosed can become strongly luminescent. Accordingly,
it is believed that particular characteristics of disclosed
materials can not only depend upon the size of a particle, but also
upon the material(s) bound to the surface of the carbon
nanoparticle. For example, some variation in luminescent
characteristics of a particle can be attained through variation of
the particular material(s) bound to the surface of the carbon
nanoparticle.
[0026] For purposes of the present invention, the term `surface
passivation` refers to the stabilization of the surface of a
nanoparticle and is herein defined to include any process in which
reactive bonds on the surface of a nanoparticle are terminated and
rendered chemically passive. Hence, the term can include elemental
passivation, in which a passivating element is bound to an existing
bond on a surface, as well as the more generic concept of
passivation in which a material can be bound to a surface through
formation of a covalent bond between the surface and the material,
with the possibility of the survival of bonding sites still
existing at the surface following the passivation reaction. In this
second instance, for example, the passivating material can be a
polymer, and the passivation process can form a shell or coating
over at least a portion of the surface of a nanoparticle. This
shell or coating can be covalently bound to the nanoparticle
surface at multiple locations, though not necessarily so as to
render every reactive bond on the surface chemically passive.
[0027] A core carbon nanoparticle can be formed according to any
suitable process capable of forming a carbon particle on a
nanometer scale. For example, in one embodiment, a core carbon
nanoparticle can be formed from an amorphous carbon source, such as
carbon black; from graphite, for instance in the form of graphite
powder; or from crystalline carbon (e.g., diamond). For example,
according to one embodiment, a core carbon nanoparticle can be
formed according to a laser ablation method from a graphite
starting material. In another embodiment, a core carbon
nanoparticle can be formed in an electric arc discharge from carbon
powders. Other methods can be utilized as well, for instance,
thermal carbonization of particles of carbon-rich polymers. Such
methods are generally known to those of ordinary skill in the art
and thus are not described in detail herein.
[0028] A carbon nanoparticle can generally be any size from about 1
nm to about 100 nm in average diameter. While not wishing to be
bound by any particular theory, it appears that there is quantum
confinement effect on the observed luminescence of the materials,
and in particular, a relatively large surface area to volume ratio
is required in order to confine the recombination of excitons to
the surface of a nanoparticle. Accordingly, it appears that higher
luminescence quantum yields can be achieved with a smaller core
carbon nanoparticle as compared to a larger nanoparticle having the
same or similar surface passivation. As such, a luminescent
particle including a relatively larger core carbon nanoparticle,
e.g., greater than about 30 nm in average diameter, can be less
luminescent than a smaller particle. In one embodiment, a core
carbon nanoparticle can be less than about 20 nm in average
diameter, for instance, in one particular embodiment, between about
1 and about 10 nm in average diameter.
[0029] In order to attain the ability to exhibit photoluminescence,
a passivation agent can be bound to the surface of a carbon
nanoparticle. A passivation agent can be any material that can bind
to a carbon nanoparticle surface and encourage or stabilize the
radiative recombination of excitons, which is believed to come
about through stabilization of the excitation energy `traps`
existing at the surface as a result of quantum confinement effects
and the large surface area to volume ratio of a nanoparticle. The
agent(s) can be bound to a nanoparticle surface according to any
binding methodology. For example, a passivation agent can bind to a
nanoparticle surface covalently or noncovalently or a combination
of covalently and noncovalently. Moreover, a passivation agent can
be polymeric, molecular, biomolecular, or any other material that
can passivate a nanoparticle surface. For instance, the passivation
agent can be a synthetic polymer such as poly(lactic acid) (PLA),
poly(ethylene glycol (PEG),
poly(propionylethylenimine-co-ethylenimine) (PPEI-EI), and
polyvinyl alcohol) (PVA). In one embodiment, the passivation agent
can be a biopolymer, for instance a protein or peptide. Other
exemplary passivation agents can include molecules bearing amino
and other functional groups.
[0030] The passivation agent and/or additional materials grafted to
the core nanoparticle via the passivation agent (exemplary
embodiments of which are discussed in more detail below) can
provide the luminescent particles with additional desirable
characteristics. For example, a hydrophilic passivation agent can
be bound to the core carbon nanoparticle to improve the
solubility/dispersibility of the nanoparticles in water. In another
embodiment, a passivation agent can be selected so as to improve
the solubility of the carbon nanoparticle in an organic
solvent.
[0031] In one particular embodiment, a core carbon nanoparticle can
be mostly amorphous. Due to the presence of localized .pi.
electrons and the existence of dangling bonds on an amorphous
carbon particle, a passivating material of this embodiment can be
any number of possible materials. In fact, it is currently
understood that a carbon nanoparticle can be passivated and attain
the capability of exhibiting photoluminescence upon the binding of
any material capable of covalently, noncovalently or a combination
of covalently and noncovalently bonding at a surface of a carbon
nanoparticle. In particular, there is no particular limitation to
the type of passivation agents or the surface end group formed
according to the passivation reaction.
[0032] In one embodiment, a core carbon nanoparticle can include
other components, in addition to carbon. For example, metals and/or
other elements can be embedded in a core carbon nanoparticle. In
one particular embodiment, a magnetic metal along or in combination
with other materials, such as, for example, Ni/Y, can be embedded
in a core carbon nanoparticle. For example, the addition of the
desired materials, e.g., a metal powder, to the carbon core can be
attained through the addition of the materials during the formation
process of the carbon particles and the material can thus be
incorporated into the core (see, e.g., Example 3). Upon the
functionalization of such a nanoparticle to provide surface
passivation, the resulting luminescent carbon nanoparticle that
includes an embedded metal, e.g., an embedded magnetic metal, can
be magnetically responsive, which can be useful in many
applications including, for example magnetic detection,
precipitation and separation, signaling, and the like.
[0033] In one embodiment, a carbon nanoparticle can be formed to
include a reactive functional chemistry suitable for use in a
desired application, e.g., a tagging or analyte recognition
protocol. For instance, a passivating agent can include a reactive
functionality that can be used directly in a protocol, for example
to tag a particular analyte or class of materials that may be found
in a sample. Exemplary materials can include, for example,
carbohydrate molecules that may conjugate with carbohydrates on an
analyte or biological species.
[0034] In another embodiment, a functional chemistry of a
passivation agent can be further derivatized with a particular
chemistry suitable for a particular application. For example, in
one embodiment, a reactive functionality of a passivating agent can
be further derivatized via a secondary surface chemistry
functionalization to serve as a binding site for substance. For
example, a member of a specific binding pair, i.e., two different
molecules where one of the molecules chemically and/or physically
binds to the second molecule, such as an antigen or an antibody can
be bound to a nanoparticle either directly or indirectly via a
functional chemistry of the passivation agent that is retained on
the nanoparticle following the passivation of the core carbon
nanoparticle. The passivation and further derivatization of the
core carbon nanoparticle need not be carried out in separate
reactions steps, however, and in one embodiment, the passivation
and derivatization of the carbon nanoparticle can be carried out in
a single process step.
[0035] Accordingly, a luminescent carbon nanoparticle can be
advantageously utilized to tag, stain or mark materials, including
biologically active materials, e.g., drugs, poisons, viruses,
antibodies, antigens, proteins, and the like; biological materials
themselves, e.g., cells, bacteria, fungi, parasites, etc; as well
as environmental materials such as gaseous, liquid, or solid (e.g.,
particulates) pollutants that may be found in a sample to be
analyzed. For example, the passivating material can include or can
be derivatized to include functionality specific for surface
receptors of bacteria, such as E. coli and L. monocytogenes, for
instance. Upon recognition and binding, the bacteria can be clearly
discernable due to the photoluminescent tag bound to the
surface.
[0036] Suitable reactive functionality particular for targeted
materials are generally known to those of skill in the art. For
example, when considering development of a protocol designed for
recognition or tagging of a particular antibody in a fluid sample,
suitable ligands for that antibody such as haptens particular to
that antibody, complete antigens, epitopes of antigens, and the
like can be bound to the polymeric material via the reactive
functionality of the passivating material.
[0037] In another embodiment, a nanoparticle can be utilized to tag
or mark the presence of a particular substance through the
development of the photoluminescent characteristic on the
nanomaterials only when the nanoparticle is in the presence of the
targeted substance. For example, a carbon nanoparticle can be
formed and not subjected to a passivation reaction or optionally
only partially passivated, such that the nanoparticle exhibits
little or no photoluminescence. Upon contact with a passivating
material (e.g., a targeted substance) under reaction conditions,
the nanoparticle can be passivated by the targeted substance in the
sample and the nanoparticle can then exhibit increased
photoluminescence, and the presence of the targeted substance can
be confirmed via the increased luminescence of the
nanoparticle.
[0038] In another embodiment, the luminescence from a passivated,
highly luminescent carbon nanoparticle can be quenched in the
presence of a particular targeted substance. For example, the
visible luminescence can be quenched in the presence of a
potentially harmful environmental substance such as a
nitro-derivatized benzene, TNT, or a key ingredient in explosives.
For example, upon contact of the passivated, luminescent
nanoparticle with the targeted substance, the luminescent
properties of the nanoparticle can be quenched via collision or
contact of the quencher molecules (i.e., the detectable substance)
with the luminescent carbon nanoparticles that result in electron
transfers or other quenching mechanisms as are generally known to
those in the art.
[0039] A photoluminescent nanoparticle can obviously be utilized in
many other applications as well, in addition to tagging and
recognition protocols such as those described above. For example,
the disclosed luminescent nanoparticles can generally be utilized
in applications previously described as suitable for
photoluminescent silicon nanoparticles. In some embodiments,
luminescent nanoparticles as herein described can be utilized in
applications suitable for luminescent nanoparticles. For instance,
disclosed luminescent nanoparticles can be utilized in applications
such as are common for luminescent quantum dots.
[0040] Beneficially, luminescent carbon nanoparticles can be more
environmentally and biologically compatible than previously known
luminescent nanoparticles. For instance, a luminescent carbon
nanoparticle can be formed so as to pose little or no environmental
or health hazards during use, hazards that exist with many
previously known luminescent nanoparticles. As such, a luminescent
carbon nanoparticle as described herein can be utilized in light
emission applications, data storage applications such as optical
storage mediums, photo-detection applications, luminescent inks,
and optical gratings, filters, switches, and the like, just to name
a few possible applications as are generally known to those of
skill in the art, and can be more ecologically friendly than many
previously known luminescent nanoparticles.
[0041] Moreover, as disclosed carbon-based materials can emit
different colors at different excitation wavelengths, they can be
used economically in practical, real-world applications. For
instance, in using disclosed carbon-based materials in labeling
applications, detection and/or analysis (for instance through
utilization of confocal fluorescence microscopy) can be performed
at multiple colors without the need for multiple sets of different
luminescent materials.
[0042] The present invention may be better understood by reference
to the examples set forth below.
Example 1
[0043] Carbon particles were produced via laser ablation of a
graphite powder carbon target in the presence of water vapor (argon
was used as the carrier gas) according to standard methods as
described by Y. Suda, et al. (Thin Solid Films, 415, 15 (2002),
which is incorporated herein by reference). The as-produced sample
contained only nanoscale carbon particles according to results from
electron microscopy analyses. The particles exhibited no detectable
luminescence in suspension or solid-state and neither before nor
after an oxidative acid treatment (refluxed in 2.6M aqueous nitric
acid solution for 12 hours).
[0044] Following the oxidative acid treatment, the particle sample
was mixed with diamine-terminated polyethylene glycol,
H.sub.2NCH.sub.2(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2O).sub.nCH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.sub.2NH.sub.2
(average n.about.35, PEG.sub.1500N). The mixture was then held at
120.degree. C. with agitation for 72 hours. Following this, the
sample was cooled to room temperature and then water was added,
followed by centrifuging. The homogeneous supernatant contained the
surface passivated carbon nanoparticles. TEM and AFM
characterization showed the nanoparticles to have diameters between
about 5 nm and about 10 nm. FIG. 1 is a TEM dark field image of the
passivated nanoparticles.
[0045] The surface-passivated carbon nanoparticles were found to be
strongly luminescent both in a solution-like suspension and in the
solid state. For example, and with reference to the attached
figures, FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a sample of the PEG.sub.1500N
coated carbon nanoparticles in an aqueous suspension. In FIG. 2,
the samples were excited at 400 nm and photographed through
different band-pass filters of 450, 500, 550, 600, 640 and 690 nm,
as indicated. FIG. 3 is a series of photographs of the
PEG.sub.1500N coated carbon nanoparticles in the aqueous suspension
excited at increasing wavelengths of 400, 450, 500. 550. 600, 650,
and 694 nm, as indicated on the figure, and photographed directly.
FIGS. 4A-4C are confocal microscopy images of the PEG.sub.1500N
coated carbon nanoparticles excited at different excitation
wavelengths and with different band-pass filters, as indicated on
the Figure. Specifically, in FIG. 4A (top) .lamda..sub.ex=458 nm
with 505 nm longpass filter; FIG. 4B (middle) .lamda..sub.ex=488 nm
with 530 nm longpass filter; and FIG. 4C (bottom)
.lamda..sub.ex=543 nm with 585 nm longpass filter.
Example 2
[0046] The same protocol as described above was performed, but for
the utilization of poly(propionylethylenimine-co-ethylenimine)
(PPEI-EI) as the passivation agent. FIG. 5 illustrates the
absorption and emission spectra of the PPEI-EI passivated
particles. In particular, the particles were excited with a 400 nm
excitation wavelength (on the left), and with progressively longer
excitation wavelengths increasing in 20 nm increments.
[0047] The observed luminescence quantum yields for both examples
were found to be of from about 5% to more than about 10%, depending
upon the excitation wavelength, the particular passivation agent
used, and the medium. These yields are comparable to those of
previously known silicon nanocrystals. The luminescence was also
found to be stable with respect to photoirradiation, exhibiting no
meaningful reduction in the observed intensities in continuously
repeating excitations over several hours.
[0048] As can be seen with reference to the Figures, the
luminescence of the materials can cover a broad wavelength region
in the visible and can extend into the near-infrared, suggesting a
distribution of emissive species and/or sites. Such a distribution
can also allow the selection of different luminescence colors with
the use of different excitation wavelength with a single sample of
materials, as illustrated in the figures.
Example 3
[0049] Carbon nanoparticles embedded with Ni/Y were prepared in an
electric arc-discharge apparatus. The arc was generated between two
electrodes in a reactor under a helium atmosphere (760 Torr). The
anode was a hollow graphite rod (6 mm outer diameter, 3 mm inner
diameter, and 200 mm long) filled with a mixture of Ni,
Y.sub.2O.sub.3, and graphite powders, so that the overall
compositions of the rod were .about.4% Ni, .about.1% Y, and
.about.95% carbon. The arc discharge was created by a current of 90
Amp. A voltage drop of 35V between the electrodes was maintained by
an automated welding controller to keep a constant distance (about
0.5 mm) between the cathode and the anode being consumed. The
product nanoparticles are illustrated in the SEM in FIG. 6.
Example 4
[0050] In the labeling of bacterial cells with luminescent carbon
nanoparticles, PEG.sub.1500N-functionalized carbon nanoparticles
were used to interact with E. coli ATCC 29522 cells. In a typical
experiment, an E. coli cell solution in PBS (200 .mu.L,
.about.10.sup.8 cfu/mL) was mixed with the solution of
PEG.sub.1500N-functionalized carbon nanoparticles (75 .mu.L), and
the mixture was gently rotated for 24 h. Then, the mixture was
centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 10 min, and the sediment was
collected and re-suspended for microscopy characterization (FIG.
7A).
[0051] The same experimental procedure was used for the binding of
PEG.sub.1500N-functionalized carbon nanoparticles with L.
monocytogene Scott A cells and E. coli ATCC 25922 cells. FIG. 7Aa
illustrates confocal, and FIG. 7Ab bright field images following
luminescence labeling of the L. monocytogene Scott A cells with the
PEG.sub.1500N-functionalized carbon nanoparticles. FIGS. 7Ac, 7Ad,
and 7Ae, show the products following the same labeling process for
E. coli ATCC 25922 cells in the confocal imaging with different
excitation/long-path detection filter of (7Ac) 458/475 nm, (7Ad)
477/505 nm, and (7Ae) 514/560 nm.
[0052] The luminescent carbon nanoparticles were coated with
pathogen-specific antibodies to obtain immuno-carbon nanoparticles.
In a typical experiment, PEG.sub.1500N-functionalized carbon
nanoparticles (2 mg), succinic anhydride (18 mg, 1.84 mmol), and
DMAP (1 mg, 0.008 mmol) were dissolved in dry CH.sub.2Cl.sub.2 (5
mL). After stirring at room temperature for 24 h, the solvent was
removed and the crude product was re-dissolved in deionized water
(2 mL). The aqueous solution was transferred to a cellulose
membrane tubing (MWCO.about.1,000) for dialysis against fresh
deionized water for 2 days to obtain PEG.sub.1500N-functionalized
carbon nanoparticles with carboxylic acids as terminal groups.
After the removal of water, the acid-terminated particles were
re-suspended in MES buffer (1 mL, pH 6.1). To the suspension was
added EDAC (54 mg) and NHS (70 mg), and the mixture was kept at
room temperature for 24 h. The solution was dialyzed
(MWCO.about.1,000) against fresh deionized water for 24 h. After
solvent removal, the product was re-dissolved in PBS buffer (0.5
mL, pH.about.7.4), mixed with a solution of affinity purified goat
anti-E. coli O157 IgG, and gently shaken for 24 h to obtain the
immuno-carbon nanoparticles. These particles target pathogenic E.
coli O157:H7 cells specifically. By applying the same experimental
protocol described above, the binding of the immuno-carbon
nanoparticles with E. coli O157:H7 cells were observed in the
microscopy images shown in FIG. 7B including confocal (FIG. 7Ba)
and bright-field (FIG. 7Bb) images for the luminescence labeling of
pathogenic E. coli O157:H7 cells.
Example 5
[0053] Photoluminescence spectra of PEG.sub.1500N-functionalized
carbon nanoparticles were measured in room-temperature chloroform
solution in the presence of N,N-diethylaniline (DEA) at different
concentrations. While the observed luminescence spectral profiles
were unchanged, the intensities were found to increase with the
increasing DEA concentration (reversed Stern-Volmer quenching
behavior) to reach a maximum at the DEA concentration of
approximately 40 mM, and then decreased with additional increase in
DEA concentration (normal Stern-Volmer quenching behavior). This is
clearly illustrated by the quenching plot in FIG. 8 of the
luminescence quenching ratio (intensity without
quencher)/(intensity with quencher), I.sub.0/I, for
PEG.sub.1500N-functionalized carbon nanoparticles as a function of
the quencher N,N-diethylaniline (DEA) concentration.
Example 6
[0054] The same luminescence quenching protocol as described above
was performed, but for the utilization of nitrobenzene as the
quencher in ethanol solution. The luminescence spectra are little
affected by the quencher at different concentrations (FIG. 9 A
showing the spectral intensities decrease with the increasing
quencher concentration; and FIG. 9B showing the Stern-Volmer plot).
The quenching follows the normal Stern-Volmer behavior, namely that
the luminescence intensities decrease with the increasing quencher
concentration. The quenching is also highly efficient, with
quenching rate constant approaching the limit of diffusion control
(approximately 10.sup.10 M.sup.-1s.sup.-1, FIG. 9).
[0055] It will be appreciated that the foregoing examples, given
for purposes of illustration, are not to be construed as limiting
the scope of this invention. Although only a few exemplary
embodiments of this invention have been described in detail above,
those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many
modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without
materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of
this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to
be included within the scope of this invention. Further, it is
recognized that many embodiments may be conceived that do not
achieve all of the advantages of some embodiments, yet the absence
of a particular advantage shall not be construed to necessarily
mean that such an embodiment is outside the scope of the present
invention.
* * * * *