Hyperbranched Polymers for the Formation and Stabilization of ZnO Nanoparticles

The synthesis and characterization of a new family of dendritic polymers comprising a hyperbranched polyamidoamine core and polyethyleneglycol-derivative units is reported. The mentioned polymers have either core-shell or core-multishell architectures. Their intrinsic properties (solubility in a wide range of solvents, ability to interact with hydrophilic or hydrophobic compounds, etc.) allows the one-step in situ synthesis of water-soluble ZnO quantum dots via decomposition of an organometallic precursor. The effect of structural properties of the polymer (nature of the shell, core molecular weight, etc.), as well as external stimuli (temperature, ionic strength, etc.) on the formation and/or stabilization of nanoparticles has been evaluated. The as-synthesized nanoparticles could be easily redispersed in various solvents and presented stable photoluminescent properties.