Enzyme-Encapsulated Quantum Dot Hydrogels in the Development of Biosensors: A Multifunctional Platform for Both Bio-Catalysis and Fluorescent Probing

We have recently fabricated enzyme encapsulated CdTe quantum dot (QDs) hydrogels using the sol-gel method, a versatile way in the QD gel formation. The porous three dimensional QD hydrogel turned out to be an adequate encapsulation medium for enzymes and furthermore, the optoelectronic properties of the individual QDs were still retained in the QD hydrogels. The as-prepared enzyme-encapsulated QD hydrogel incorporated both a bio-catalysis unit and a fluorescence signaling unit, and was taken as a multi-functional platform in the development of optical biosensors.