Synthesis of folic acid functionalized, tannic acid-based gold quantum dots for potential use in various applications

Surface modification of gold quantum dots (AuQDs) has emerged as a highly interesting area of study in terms of different applications, such as sensors, medical, and aerospace technology. For synthesis of gold quantum dots (AuQDs) nucleation, growth, and stability is most important factor. To control nucleation, growth, and stability, monodispersed spherical AuQDs were synthesized using sodium citrate and tannic acid. PEG 6000 was then used to coat these AuQDs. The FA was conjugated with PEG-AuQDs to form nanoconjugates known as FA-PEG-AuQDs using N-ethyl-N′-(3-(dimethylamino)propyl) carbodiimide (EDC)/N-hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) coupling procedure. XPS, TEM, HR-TEM and other techniques were used to characterize AuQDs and FA-PEG-AuQDs.