Microspheres including nanoparticles

• US 9,708,184 B2
• Filed: 12/17/2010
• Issued: 07/18/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Original Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Inventors: Chan, YinThai, Zimmer, John P., Bawendi, Moungi G.
• Primary Examiner(s): FERRE, ALEXANDRE F
• Application Number:
  US12/971,751
• Publication Number:
  US 20110089375A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,405 Days
• Field of Search: 428403
• CPC Class Codes: B01J 13/02 Making microcapsules or microballoons for medical preparations A61K9/50
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 11/02 Use of particular materials as binders, particle coatings or suspension media therefor
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 11/025 non-luminescent particle coatings or suspension media
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 11/565 with zinc cadmium
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 11/883 with zinc or cadmium
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/773 Nanoparticle, i.e. structure having three dimensions of 100 nm or less
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/778 within specified host or matrix material, e.g. nanocomposite films
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/779 Possessing nanosized particles, powders, flakes, or clusters other than simple atomic impurity doping
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2982 Particulate matter [e.g., sphere, flake, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2991 Coated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2993 Silicic or refractory material containing [e.g., tungsten oxide, glass, cement, etc.]

Abstract

A microparticle can include a central region and a peripheral region. The peripheral region can include a nanoparticle, such as a metal nanoparticle, a metal oxide nanoparticle, or a semiconductor nanocrystal. The microparticle can be a member of a monodisperse population of particles.

Claims

1. A microsphere comprising:

a central region including an inorganic material, the central region being a microsphere wherein the central region being a microsphere is free of nanoparticles;

a first peripheral region on a surface of the central region, the first peripheral region including a first nanoparticle incorporated in the first peripheral region, further comprising a ligand having affinity for a surface of the first nanoparticle;

wherein the diameter of the microsphere is more than 100 nm and less than a millimeter, the size of the microsphere is larger than the first nanoparticle, the first nanoparticle is a fluorescent metal nanoparticle or metal oxide nanocrystal, and the quantum yield the first nanoparticle is more than 10%; and

a second peripheral region directly on a surface of the first peripheral region, wherein the second peripheral region includes a second nanoparticle incorporated in the second peripheral region.

2. The microsphere of claim 1, wherein the second peripheral region includes an inorganic material.

3. The microsphere of claim 2, wherein the second peripheral region includes silicon or titanium.

4. The microsphere of claim 1, wherein the second nanoparticle is a metal nanoparticle, a metal oxide nanocrystal, or a semiconductor nanocrystal.

5. The microsphere of claim 1, wherein the second nanoparticle is a fluorescent nanoparticle.

6. The microsphere of claim 5, wherein the first nanoparticle has a fluorescence emission distinguishable from a fluorescence emission of the second nanoparticle.