Abstract

Since the discovery of quantum dots in the 1980s, there has been significant interest in their potential biomedical applications. Caffeine is known to readily be able to cross the blood brain barrier, a highly selective barrier in the cerebrovascular endothelium. Creating drug delivery systems that are able to cross the blood brain barrier while maintaining its integrity are also in need. Experiments were conducted to determine if caffeine is able to successfully adsorb on the surface of synthesized manganese (Mn2+) doped zinc sulfide quantum dots. Caffeine adsorption on the surface of quantum dots is hypothesized to enhance uptake by cells and facilitate the delivery of small nanoparticle cargos. In this study, quantum dots were synthesized with and without the addition of caffeine and the nanoparticles were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) in order to determine successful binding.

Thesis Completion

2020

Semester

Spring

Thesis Chair/Advisor

Santra, Swadeshmukul

Degree

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Chemistry

Language

English

Access Status

Campus Access

Length of Campus-only Access

5 years

Release Date

5-1-2025

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