Preparation of quantum dot beads having a silyl surface shell

• US 9,783,733 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2014
• Issued: 10/10/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/15/2013
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nanoco Technologies Limited (Nanoco Group Plc)
• Original Assignee: Nanoco Technologies Limited (Nanoco Group Plc)
• Inventors: Daniels, Siobhan, Naasani, Imad
• Primary Examiner(s): Zemel, Irina S
• Application Number:
  US14/210,070
• Publication Number:
  US 20140264193A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,307 Days
• Field of Search: 25251931, 25251933, 252500, 2525181, 2523016, 977779, 977774, 977773, 977890, 977896, 25730136, 257 9, 257793, 257 13, 257 98
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 40/00 Manufacture or treatment of nanostructures
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 11/02 Use of particular materials as binders, particle coatings or suspension media therefor
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 11/70 containing phosphorus
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/779 Possessing nanosized particles, powders, flakes, or clusters other than simple atomic impurity doping

Abstract

Quantum dots (QDs) are encapsulated within microbeads having a silyl surface shell. The microbeads are prepared by copolymerizing unsaturated resins and an unsaturated organosilane in the presence of QDs. During the copolymerization, the unsaturated resin and the organosilane phase separate, forming beads having a silyl surface shell surrounding an essentially unsilylated interior. The QDs are encapsulated within the interior. The silyl shell provides a barrier against oxygen and other contaminants diffusing into the bead and reacting with the QDs.

Claims

1. A method for preparing quantum dot-containing microbeads, the method comprising:

preparing a mixture comprising quantum dots (QDs), 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate, an acrylic monomer, a cross-linking agent, and an initiator,

polymerizing the mixture to form polymer microbeads having a silyl surface shell,

wherein during polymerization the acrylic monomer and 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate undergo phase separation.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the mixture further comprises polyvinyl alcohol.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the acrylic monomer is lauryl methacrylate.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the cross-linking agent is trimethylol propane trimethacrylate.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the QDs comprise a core semiconductor material comprising indium and phosphorus.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the initiator is bis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl)-phenylphosphineoxide.

6. A method as recited in 2 wherein the ratio of the acrylic monomer to 3-(trimethoxysilyl) propyl methacrylate is about 1:

1 to about 4;

1 by volume.