Optical properties of water-soluble CdTe quantum dots passivated by a biopolymer based on poly((2-dimethylaminoethyl) methacrylate) grafted onto κ-carrageenan.

Poly ((2-dimethylaminoethyl) methacrylate) grafted onto κ-carrageenan (κC-g-PDMA) as a biopolymer was synthesized and applied for surface modification of water-soluble CdTe quantum dots (QDs). The effects of DMA concentration, molar ratio of κC-g-PDMA/CdTe, reaction temperature and time on optical properties of CdTe QDs were investigated via fluorescent (FL) and UV- visible spectra. The results showed that the κC-g-PDMA significantly affects the optical properties of CdTe QDs. The obtained samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FT-IR), thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The antibacterial activity, antifungal assays, and cytotoxicity of modified QDs were examined, and a good biocompatibility was observed.