CdSe-ZnO Core–Shell Quantum Dots for Protein Detection: A Potential Sensing Platform

Abstract

A highly sensitive biosensing platform comprised of CdSe-ZnO core–shell nanostructures for targeted applications in protein detection is demonstrated. This innovative technique uses a microwave-assisted thermal decomposition method to produce a rapid, less hazardous, and user-friendly procedure to synthesize a semiconductor core surrounded by nanometer-thick metal oxide shells. The benefit of using a metal oxide shell includes mitigating the toxicity of the CdSe core, thus increasing its biocompatibility and minimizing its photochemical corrosion and oxidation. We present a simple one-pot microwave-assisted protocol for the formation of CdSe-ZnO core–shell quantum dots (QDs). These QDs optimize the recognition limit of bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein through a spectral signal at a considerably low concentration (2.5 × 10−6 M), thus demonstrating its potential to become a highly effective surface-plasmon-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS)-like sensing platform. We report a QD material that can mimic a strong SERS-like behavior due to charge transfer affecting the local electric field.