New, safe zinc oxide quantum dots

(Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences) Zinc oxide as a heavy metals-free substituent for commonly investigated cadium-based semiconductors is one of the most versatile systems with far-reaching perspectives. Physicochemical properties and biocompatibility of ZnO nanocrystals are strongly dependent on their interface, which is largely determined by synthetic procedures. Chemists from Warsaw have shown that ZnO nanoparticles produced by a new self-supporting organometallic method are safe for human cells. Now it's only one step towards innovative applications.
Source: EurekAlert! - Biology - Category: Biology Source Type: news