# US 10,768,180 B2 · Polyelectrolyte-coated polymer dots and related methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,768,180 B2 - Document ID: US10768180B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/041,569 - Filed: 2018-07-20 - Published: 2019-01-03 - Granted: 2020-09-08 - Earliest claimed: 2012-02-03 - Assignees: University of Washington through its Center for Commercialization - Applicants: University of Washington through its Center for Commercialization - Inventors: Daniel T. Chiu; Yuhui Jin; Fangmao Ye; Changfeng Wu; Yang-Hsiang Chan - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10768180B2 ## CPC - G01N 33/588: {with semiconductor nanocrystal label, e.g. quantum dots} - A61K 49/0065: {the luminescent/fluorescent agent having itself a special physical form, e.g. gold nanoparticle} - B82Y 40/00: Manufacture or treatment of nanostructures - H10K 85/113: {Heteroaromatic compounds comprising sulfur or selene, e.g. polythiophene} - H10K 85/115: {Polyfluorene; Derivatives thereof} - H10K 85/151: {Copolymers} - B82Y 5/00: Nanobiotechnology or nanomedicine, e.g. protein engineering or drug delivery - B82Y 15/00: Nanotechnology for interacting, sensing or actuating, e.g. quantum dots as markers in protein assays or molecular motors - H10K 50/11: characterised by the electroluminescent [EL] layers - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - A61K: PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES (devices or methods specially adapted for bringing pharmaceutical products into particular physical or administering forms A61J3/00; chemical aspects of, or use of materials for deodorisation of air, for disinfection or sterilisation, or for bandages, dressings, absorbent pads or surgical articles A61L; soap compositions C11D) - B82Y: SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MEASUREMENT OR ANALYSIS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF NANOSTRUCTURES - H10K: ORGANIC ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES ## Abstract Polymer nanoparticles and related methods are provided. The polymer particles can include polymer dots having a coating including a polyelectrolyte polymer. Methods of making and using the polymer nanoparticles are also provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A nanoparticle comprising: a polymer dot comprising a condensed semiconducting polymer; and a polyelectrolyte coating that surrounds the condensed semiconducting polymer, the polyelectrolyte coating comprising a first polyelectrolyte polymer and a second polyelectrolyte polymer, wherein the first polyelectrolyte polymer is poly(styrene sulfonate) and the second polyelectrolyte polymer is poly(sodium methacrylate). ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the nanoparticle has a zeta potential more positive than +50 mV or more negative than −50 mV. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The nanoparticle of claim 1, comprising a plurality of condensed semiconducting polymers surrounded by the polyelectrolyte coating layer. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The nanoparticle of claim 3, wherein the plurality of condensed semiconducting polymers is physically blended or chemically crosslinked together. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the condensed semiconducting polymer is fluorescent. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein a mass:mass ratio of the first polyelectrolyte polymer to the second polyelectrolyte polymer is greater than about 0.9:1. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The nanoparticle of claim 1, further comprising an anti-sticking agent. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The nanoparticle of claim 7, wherein the anti-sticking agent is selected from the group consisting of a polyalkylene glycol, a polysaccharide, and a dextran. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein at least 80% of repeating units of the first polyelectrolyte polymer or the second polyelectrolyte polymer comprise an electrolyte group. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the polyelectrolyte coating comprises at least one site capable of bioconjugation. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The nanoparticle of claim 10, wherein the nanoparticle is conjugated to a biomolecule. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The nanoparticle of claim 11, wherein the biomolecule comprises a protein, a peptide, an amino acid, a nucleic acid, a nucleotide, a carbohydrate, a lipid, a fatty acid, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The nanoparticle of claim 11, wherein the biomolecule comprises an antibody, a glycoprotein, a metabolite, a drug, a toxin, a sugar, a streptavidin, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the nanoparticle has a diameter from about 10 nm to about 40 nm. ### Claim 15 A plurality of nanoparticles comprising: a nanoparticle comprising: a polymer dot comprising a condensed semiconducting polymer dispersible in an aqueous solution; and a polyelectrolyte coating that surrounds the condensed semiconducting polymer, the polyelectrolyte coating comprising a first polyelectrolyte polymer and a second polyelectrolyte polymer, wherein the first polyelectrolyte polymer is poly(styrene sulfonate) and the second polyelectrolyte polymer is poly(sodium methacrylate). ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The plurality of nanoparticles of claim 15, wherein a majority of the plurality of nanoparticles do not aggregate, as measured by suspension in PBS for 1 month. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The nanoparticle of claim 16, wherein the nanoparticle is conjugated to a biomolecule. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The nanoparticle of claim 17, wherein the biomolecule comprises a protein, a peptide, an amino acid, a nucleic acid, a nucleotide, a carbohydrate, a lipid, a fatty acid, or a combination thereof. ### Claim 19 A nanoparticle comprising: a polymer dot comprising a plurality of condensed semiconducting polymers; and a polyelectrolyte coating that surrounds the plurality of condensed semiconducting polymers, the polyelectrolyte coating comprising a first polyelectrolyte polymer and a second polyelectrolyte polymer, wherein the first polyelectrolyte polymer is poly(styrene sulfonate) and the second polyelectrolyte polymer is poly(sodium methacrylate). ### Claim 20 (depends on 1) The nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the first polyelectrolyte polymer or second polyelectrolyte polymer comprises repeating units, and at least 25% of the repeating units bear an electrolyte group. ### Claim 21 (depends on 1) The nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the condensed semiconducting polymer comprises a hydrophilic functional group.