Emerging Researchers National (ERN) Conference

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Temperature Sensing Nanocrystals

Undergraduate #257
Discipline: Nanoscience
Subcategory: Cancer Research

Andrew Fowler - Garden City Community College
Co-Author(s): Emily J. McLaurin, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS


Cancer is one of the leading causes of death in the United States. Modern treatment of this disease includes surgical removal of tumors, radiation, and chemotherapy. Gold nanomaterials are used to kill tumors with photo thermal therapy, though temperatures during therapy are not well characterized. Nanoshell particles can be fabricated to strongly absorb in the near-infrared (NIR) region where light transmits deeply into tissue. Temperature sensing semiconductor nanocrystals rapidly provide information on thermal gradients. Incorporation of these nanocrystals with gold nanomaterials can provide information on temperature changes during heating. Therefore, we decided to investigate whether ZnCdMnSe nanocrystals can be used as temperature sensors for Gold-Silica nanoparticles. To implement this experiment, we synthesized manganese-doped nanocrystals. We then took the newly synthesized nanocrystals and encased them in a shell of silica, making them hydrophilic. This produces a temperature-sensing nanoparticle that can be injected into a tumor. Unfortunately, the NC dual emission was lost upon transfer to aqueous solution. Next, we will try alternative methods for watersolubilization and silica shell growth. Luminescent ZnCdMnSe nanocrystals coated in a Gold-Silica shell are ideal candidates for temperature sensing during photothermal therapy.

Funder Acknowledgement(s): This material is based upon work supported by National Science Foundation award number 1305059.

Faculty Advisor: Arthur Nonhof,

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This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under Grant No. DUE-1930047. Any opinions, findings, interpretations, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of its authors and do not represent the views of the AAAS Board of Directors, the Council of AAAS, AAAS’ membership or the National Science Foundation.