Table 2 Comparison of the two synthesis routes: QD-stained carboxylated PSMP prepared i.) with the QDs present during the polymerization procedure, and ii.) by a post-synthetic swelling procedure of carboxylated PSMPs.
Synthesis approach | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
(i) QD addition during the polymerization procedure (route i)
| Large PSMP amounts (higher yield per synthesis batch) | More time consuming (in case of commercial particles) |
Higher amount of accessible FGs | No commercially available particles usable | |
PSMP size easily adjustable | Less monodisperse | |
Very versatile (size, crosslinking etc.) | Lower PLQY | |
Better long-term stability | ||
(ii) QD-encoding by a post-synthetic swelling procedure of non-crosslinked, carboxylated particles (route ii)
| Facile and good transferability to other systems (matrix & staining species) | Low PSMP amounts (lower yield per synthesis batch) |
Use of commercial particles | Lower amount of accessible FGs | |
Potentially better monodispersity (use of commercial PSMPs) | Size restriction (premanufactured beads) | |
Very good luminescence properties (esp. PLQY) | Reduced long-term stability | |
Less time consuming (when using commercial particles) |
