Hydrophilic, Bright CuInS2Quantum Dotsas Cd-Free Fluorescent Labels in Quantitative Immunoassay.

We report on the synthesis of core–shellCuInS2/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) in organic solution, theirencapsulationwith a PEG-containing amphiphilic polymer, and the application ofthe resulting water-soluble QDs as fluorescent label in quantitativeimmunoassay. By optimizing the methods for core synthesis and shellgrowth, CuInS2/ZnS QDs were obtained with a quantum yieldof 50% on average after hydrophilization. After conjugation with anaflatoxin B1-protein derivative, the obtained QDs were used as fluorescentlabels in microplate immunoassay for the quantitative determinationof the mycotoxin aflatoxin B1. QDs-based immunoassay showed highersensitivity compared to enzyme-based immunoassay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]