ZnO Quantum Dot Synthesis and Integration with Carbonaceous Materials ^†

Abstract

The biomedical area uses nanostructured materials to maximize therapeutic advantages while minimizing invasiveness and toxicity. Their applications include drug delivery, therapy activation, diagnostics, and real-time therapeutic response monitoring. The development of materials for sensors and electrochemical analysis has become essential for monitoring biomolecules. The concentration, size, and dispersion of nanoparticles in the carbonaceous matrix are the main factors that influence the conductivity of nanocomposites. The strong interactions and high surface energy of graphene materials often moderate its homogeneous compatibility with various media. In the present work, we propose the synthesis of zinc oxide quantum dots (ZnO QDs) and their integration with carbonaceous materials to create nanocomposites with electrochemical uses. ZnO QDs were obtained through the precipitation method. Graphene oxide (GO) was synthesized using the Hummer technique. ZnO-GO was obtained via the in situ hydrothermal method. The samples were characterized through a variety of analytical methods to understand their morphology, size, structural phase purity, functional groups, and wetting capacity. Using spectroscopic analysis, the materials—the oxide, the carbonaceous material, and the composite—were examined from a structural perspective. Using a field-emission scanning electron microscope, the surface morphology, particle size, and distribution of the nanoparticles in the carbon material were investigated. The goniometric investigations monitored the nanocomposite’s wetting and percolation capacities.