Synthesis and characterization of a quantum-dot doped silica network prepared by using a microemulsion

We have prepared a quantum-dot (QD)-doped silica network by using a microemulsion method and investigated the fluorescent properties of the hybrid particles for biological imaging and bioconjugation. The size of the particles was measured by using an electrophoretic light scattering system and transmission electronic micorscopy (TEM). The optical properties of the particles were characterized with an UV-Vis spectroscope, a photoluminescence (PL) spectrometer, and a fluorescence microscope.