Next-Generation Theranostic Agents Based on Polyelectrolyte Microcapsules Encoded with Semiconductor Nanocrystals: Development and Functional Characterization

Table 1 Surface charge of the microparticles upon of polymer layer deposition and encoding with quantum dots. Number of each repeated measurements n = 5

Sample	ζ- potential, mean ± SD, mV
Surface before layering of polymers and quantum dots
CaCO₃ microparticles	− 6.0 ± 1.6
QD–S–(PEG)₁₂–COOH	− 21.9 ± 0.4
Microparticle surface after layering of polymers and quantum dots
Layer 1, PAH	+ 13.1 ± 0.8
Layer 2, PSS	− 17.8 ± 0.9
Layer 3, PAH	+ 12.7 ± 0.5
Layer 4, PSS	− 26.3 ± 1.0
Layer 5, PAH	+ 13.2 ± 0.6
Layer 6, QD–HS–(PEG)₁₂–COOH	− 9.3 ± 0.6
Layer 7, PAH	+ 9.9 ± 0.4
Layer 8, PSS	− 16.9 ± 1.0
Layer 9, PAH	+ 11.6 ± 0.3
Layer 10, PSS	− 22.7 ± 0.8
Layer 11, PAH	+ 14.9 ± 0.6
Layer 12, PAA	− 25.3 ± 0.7
Layer 12, PAA, after removal of the core	− 19.9 ± 0.3
Layer 12, PAA, after coating with BSA	− 18.0 ± 1.6