Coated composites of magnetic material and quantum dots

Abstract

Composites and methods associated with the same are provided. The composite structures are formed of quantum dots and magnetic nanoparticles. The structures may be coated, for example, with a non-organic shell such as silica. In some cases, the shell may be functionalized or derivatized to include compounds, atoms, or materials that can alter or improve properties such as water solubility, water stability, photo-stability and biocompatibility. A reverse microemulsion process can be used to form the coated composites. The composition and other characteristics of the composites may be controlled to provide desired magnetic and optical properties. The structures may be used in a variety of applications including biological labeling, magnetic resonance imagine (MRI) and drug targeting, amongst others.

1 . A composite structure comprising:
 a core comprising at least one quantum dot and at least one magnetic material associated with the at least one quantum dot; and   a shell at least partially encapsulating the core,   wherein the shell has an average thickness of less than 50 nm.   
     
     
         2 . The composite structure of  claim 1 , wherein the shell is a non-organic shell. 
     
     
         3 . The composite structure of  claim 1 , wherein the non-organic shell comprises silica. 
     
     
         4 . The composite structure of  claim 1 , wherein the shell comprises polyethylene glycol or a derivative thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The composite structure of  claim 1 , wherein the structure is water soluble. 
     
     
         6 . The composite structure of  claim 1 , wherein the quantum dot further comprises a passivating layer formed on a surface of the quantum dot. 
     
     
         7 . The composite structure of  claim 1 , comprising a plurality of quantum dots. 
     
     
         8 . The composite structure of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic material comprises at least one magnetic nanoparticle. 
     
     
         9 . The composite structure of  claim 8 , comprising a plurality of magnetic nanoparticles. 
     
     
         10 . The composite structure of  claim 8 , wherein the ratio of quantum dots to magnetic nanoparticles is between 1 and 4. 
     
     
         11 . The composite structure of  claim 8 , wherein the quantum dot and the magnetic nanoparticle contact each other. 
     
     
         12 . The composite structure of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic material comprises Fe 2 O 3  and the quantum dot comprises CdSe. 
     
     
         13 . The composite structure of  claim 1 , wherein the magnetic material is water insoluble. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A method of making a composite structure, the method comprising:
 introducing magnetic nanoparticles and quantum dots to an aqueous-in-nonaqueous emulsion;   contacting the magnetic nanoparticles and quantum dots with a surfactant;   forming a core comprising at least one magnetic nanoparticle and at least one quantum dot in an aqueous phase of the emulsion;   introducing a shell precursor to the emulsion; and   polymerizing the precursor to form a shell that at least partially encapsulates the core to form a composite structure, wherein the shell has an average thickness of less than 50 nm.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the precursor is a non-organic shell precursor and the precursor is polymerized to form a non-organic shell. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the precursor is a silica precursor and the precursor is polymerized to form a silica shell. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the magnetic nanoparticles and quantum dots are capped with the surfactant. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising introducing a polyethylene glycol, or a derivative thereof, to the emulsion. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the shell comprises polyethylene glycol, or a derivative thereof. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the structure is water soluble. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the core comprises a plurality of quantum dots. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the core comprises a plurality of magnetic nanoparticles. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the surfactant is IGEPAL. 
     
     
         25 . The composite structure of  claim 1 , wherein the structure has a size of less than 200 nm. 
     
     
         26 . The composite structure of  claim 1 , comprising a core comprising at least two quantum dots and at least two magnetic particles associated with the at least two quantum dots.