Method including a Converting Process for Separating Nanoparticles with a Controlled Number of Active groups

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method for separating nanoparticles with a controlled number of active groups is disclosed. First, a plurality of nanoparticles are provided, wherein the surface of the nanoparticle comprises a plurality of first active groups. Next, a plurality of functional ligands are provided, wherein the functional ligand comprises at least one second active group and at least one third active group. Then, a binding process is performed to bind the nanoparticle with the functional ligand, wherein the first active group connects with the second active group. After the binding process, a converting process and a separation process are performed to isolate a plurality of nanoparticles with a controlled number of the fifth active groups. The controlled number is integers from 0 to 10.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for separating nanoparticles with a controlled number of active groups, comprising:
 providing a plurality of nanoparticles, wherein the surface of said nanoparticle comprises a plurality of first active groups;   providing a plurality of functional ligands, wherein the molecular weight of said functional ligand is larger than or equal to 1000 g/mol, and said functional ligand comprises at least one second active group and at least one third active group;   performing a binding process to bind said nanoparticle with said functional ligand, wherein said first active group connects with said second active group;   performing a converting process to convert said third active group of said nanoparticle into a fifth active group; and   performing a separation process to isolate a plurality of nanoparticles with a controlled number of said fifth active groups.   
     
     
         2 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the diameter of said nanoparticle is smaller than 50 nm. 
     
     
         3 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticle comprises one of the following group: quantum dot, metallic nanoparticle, and metal oxide nanoparticle. 
     
     
         4 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said nanoparticle has said plurality of first active groups. 
     
     
         5 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said nanoparticle is bound with said plurality of first active groups. 
     
     
         6 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a modification process to modify the surface of said nanoparticle with said first active group by an amphiphilic oligomer or polymer. 
     
     
         7 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said functional ligand further comprises a spacer bound with said second active group and said third active group. 
     
     
         8 . The method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said spacer comprises oligomer or polymer. 
     
     
         9 . The method as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein said oligomer or polymer comprises any one or any combination of the group consisting of: polyol [e.g., polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polytetramethylene glycol, poly(oxyethylene) glycol, poly(oxypropylene) poly(oxyethylene) triol, polycarbonate glyco], acrylate based oligomer or polymer, vinyl based oligomer or polymer. 
     
     
         10 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said functional ligand further comprises a spacer having said third active group therein, and bound with said second active group. 
     
     
         11 . The method as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said spacer comprises biological molecule except nucleic acids. 
     
     
         12 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said functional ligand further comprises a spacer having said second active group and said third active group therein. 
     
     
         13 . The method as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said spacer comprises biological molecule except nucleic acids. 
     
     
         14 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said first active groups, said second active group, and said third active group are independently selected from the group consisting of:
 a) chemical functional group;   b) biological molecule;   c) protecting group.   
     
     
         15 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the connecting type between said first active group and said second active group is chemical bonding or physical bonding. 
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said converting process comprises:
 providing a plurality of converters, wherein said converter comprises a fourth active group and at least one fifth active group;   reacting said third active group of said nanoparticle with said fourth active group, so as to form a plurality of nanoparticles with said fifth active groups.   
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said fourth active group and said fifth active group are independently selected from the group consisting of:
 a) chemical functional group;   b) biological molecule;   c) protecting group.   
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said separation process comprises one of the following group: size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and gel electrophoresis. 
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said separation process is gel electrophoresis, and the molecular weight of said functional ligand is larger than 3000 g/mol.