Study of fluorescence quenching and dialysis process of CdTe quantum dots, using ensemble techniques and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy

Luminescence properties of quantum dots (QDs) are closely related to their surface structure and chemical properties. In this work some ensemble techniques and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) were used to study the fluorescence quenching and dialysis process of CdTe QDs. It is found that when some heavy metal ions, such as silver ions (Ag+), quench QDs, the free Ag+ ions bind with bare Te atoms and form the AgTe structure on the surface. The FCS experimental results show that the quenching process is not the gradual reduction of fluorescence intensity of single QDs, but the decrease in the number of bright QDs with the addition of Ag+ ions. In other words, the bright QDs turn into dark directly in the quenching process. It is observed that some dark QDs converse into the bright QDs in the dialysis experiments and the dialysis process can improve the brightness per QDs. Furthermore, the results of FCS and fluorescence spectroscopy illustrate that the increase of the fluorescence quantum yield (QY) is mainly attributed to the removal of excess unreacted Cd-MPA complex and the possible chemical change of the QDs surface in the dialysis process. These new results can help us to further understand the complex surface structure of water-soluble QDs, improve their surface chemical features, and expand their applications in some fields.     

Si(001)表面分子束外延生长的小尺寸Ge量子点

通过调节生长参数, 在Si(001)衬底表面利用分子束外延(MBE)方法生长得到尺寸小于10 nm的高密度Ge量子点. 扩展的X射线吸收精细结构(EXAFS)的研究结果表明, 在500 ℃和550 ℃制备的小尺寸量子点内, GeSi合金的含量分别为75%和80%. 经热力学分析, 在量子点生长完成后的退火过程中, 可能存在Si原子从衬底表面向量子点表面扩散, 并和Ge原子通过表面偏析发生混合的过程. 另一方面, 小尺寸量子点较高的高宽比, 也会导致形成较高含量的GeSi合金.     

Near‐Infrared Active Lead Chalcogenide Quantum Dots: Preparation,Post‐Synthesis Ligand Exchange,and Applications in Solar Cells

Quantum dots (QDs) of lead chalcogenides (e.g. PbS, PbSe, and PbTe) are attractive near‐infrared (NIR) active materials that show great potential in a wide range of applications, such as, photovoltaics (PV), optoelectronics, sensors, and bio‐electronics. The surface ligand plays an essential role in the production of QDs, post‐synthesis modification, and their integration to practical applications. Therefore, it is critically important that the influence of surface ligands on the synthesis and properties of QDs is well understood for their applications in various devices. In this Review we elaborate the application of colloidal synthesis techniques for the preparation of lead chalcogenide based QDs. We specifically focus on the influence of surface ligands on the synthesis of QDs and their solution‐phase ligand exchange. Given the importance of lead chalcogenide QDs as potential light harvesters, we also pay particular attention to the current progress of these QDs in photovoltaic applications.     

硒化镉量子点膜的拉曼光谱及拉曼成像分析

研究了CdSe量子点膜的Raman光谱,发现CdSe量子点的横模(TO)振动活性较强,表面模(SO)、纵模(LO)振动不明显。比较了量子点、氧化三辛基膦及十六胺的Raman光谱,证明量子点表面大部分区域被十六胺及二辛胺修饰。在此基础上,对量子点膜的TO模振动及C-H弯曲振动峰进行了Raman成像分析,并与明场图像进行了对比,表明拉曼成像信号对量子点膜的表面变化非常敏感。     

Preparation and characterization of thiacalix[4]arene coated water-soluble CdSe/ZnS quantum dots as a fluorescent probe for Cu2+ ions

Highly fluorescent water-soluble CdSe/ZnS (core/shell) quantum dots (QDs) as a fluorescent Cu2+ ion probe were synthesized using thiacalix[4]arene carboxylic acid (TCC) as a surface coating agent. Hydrophobic trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) capped CdSe/ZnS QDs were overcoated with TCC in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature, and deprotonation of the carboxyl groups of TCC resulted in the formation of water-soluble QDs. The surface structure of the QDs was characterized by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS). TEM images showed that TCC-coated QDs were monodispersed with the particle size (core-shell moiety) of approximately 5 nm. Hydrodynamic diameter of the TCC-coated QDs was determined to be 8.9 nm by FCS, showing that the thickness of the surface organic layer of the QDs was approximately 2 nm. These results indicate that the surface layer of TCC-coated QDs forms a bilayer structure consisting of TOPO and TCC molecules. TCC-coated CdSe/ZnS QDs were highly fluorescent (quantum yield, 0.21) compared to the QDs surface-modified with mercaptoacetic acid and mercaptoundecanoic acid. Fluorescence of the TCC-coated QDs was effectively quenched by Cu2+ ions even in the presence of other transition metal ions such as Cd2+, Zn2+, Co2+, Fe2+, and Fe3+ ions in the same solution. The Stern-Volmer plot for the fluorescence quenching by Cu2+ ions showed a linear relationship up to 30 microM of Cu2+ ions. The ion selectivity of TCC-coated QDs was determined by measurements of fluorescence responses towards biologically important transition metal ions (50 microM) including Fe2+, Fe3+, Co2+>Zn2+, Cd2+. The fluorescence of TCC-coated QDs was almost insensitive to other biologically important ions such as Na+, K+, Mg2+, and Ca2+, suggesting that TCC-coated QDs can be used as a fluorescent Cu2+ ion probe for biological samples. A possible quenching mechanism by Cu2+ ions was also discussed on the basis of a Langmuir-type adsorption isotherm.     

Tuning Optical Properties and Photocatalytic Activities of Carbon‐based “Quantum Dots” Through their Surface Groups

We report recent progress in tuning optical properties and photocatalytic activities of carbon‐based quantum dots (carbon‐based QDs) through their surface groups. It is increasingly clear that the properties of carbon‐based QDs are more dependent on their surface groups than on their size. The present challenge remains as to how to control the type, number, and conformation of the heterogeneous groups on the surface of carbon‐based QDs when considering their target applications. By reviewing the related achievements, this personal account aims to help us understand the roles different surface groups play in tuning the properties of carbon‐based QDs. A number of significant accomplishments have demonstrated that surface groups possess strong power in engineering electronic structure and controlling photogenerated charge behaviors of carbon‐based QDs. However, effective strategies for modifying carbon‐based QDs with diverse heterogeneous groups are still needed.     

表面配体对CdSe量子点发光性质的影响

本文采用热注入法合成了以油胺/油酸为表面配体的、粒径均一的CdSe量子点(CdSe QDs)。调节表面配体交换中辛硫醇与CdSe QDs的比例,研究了表面配体对CdSe QDs光致发光及电致化学发光性质的影响,并提出了CdSe QDs的发光模型。结果表明,辛硫醇表面配体显著影响CdSe QDs的带边发射和深能级陷阱发射,因而导致CdSe QDs光致发光强度的显著降低,以及电致化学发光强度的增加。上述结果为进一步提高量子点的发光性能提供了依据。     

Luminescent properties of water-soluble denatured bovine serum albumin-coated CdTe quantum dots

Chemically reduced bovine serum albumin (BSA) has been used to modify the surface of water-soluble CdTe quantum dots (QDs). It is demonstrated that the denatured BSA (dBSA) can be conjugated to the surface of CdTe QDs and thereby efficiently improve the chemical stability and the photoluminescence quantum yield (PL QY) of the QDs. It is inferred that a shell-like complex structure CdTe(x)(dBSA)(1-x) will form on the surface of the CdTe "core", resulting in the enhancement of PL intensity and the blue shift of the PL peak. This study of the effects of pH and dBSA concentration on optical properties of dBSA-coated QDs suggests that, at pH 6-9, the solution of dBSA-coated CdTe QDs can keep substantial stability and fluorescent brightness, whereas further increase of pH value leads to a dramatic decrease in PL QY and chemical stability. On the other hand, too high or too low initial dBSA concentration in the QD solution results in a decrease of PL QY for dBSA-coated CdTe QDs. This study provides a new approach of preparing stable water-soluble QDs with high PL QY and controllable luminescent colors for biological labeling applications.     

Surface chemistry studies of (CdSe)ZnS quantum dots at the air-water interface

Trioctylphosphine oxide- (TOPO-) capped (CdSe)ZnS quantum dots (QDs) were prepared through a stepwise synthesis. The surface chemistry behavior of the QDs at the air-water interface was carefully examined by various physical measurements. The surface pressure-area isotherm of the Langmuir film of the QDs gave an average diameter of 4.4 nm, which matched very well with the value determined by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements if the thickness of the TOPO cap was counted. The stability of the Langmuir film of the QDs was tested by two different methods, compression/decompression cycling and kinetic measurements, both of which indicated that TOPO-capped (CdSe)ZnS QDs can form stable Langmuir films at the air-water interface. Epifluorescence microscopy revealed the two-dimensional aggregation of the QDs in Langmuir films during the early stage of the compression process. However, at high surface pressures, the Langmuir film of QDs was more homogeneous and was capable of being deposited on a hydrophobic quartz slide by the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) film technique. Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy was utilized to characterize the LB films. The PL intensity of the LB film of QDs at the first emission maximum was found to increase linearly with increasing number of layers deposited onto the hydrophobic quartz slide, which implied a homogeneous deposition of the Langmuir film of QDs at surface pressures greater than 20 mN.m(-1).     

Characterization and 2D self-assembly of CdSe quantum dots at the air-water interface

Langmuir film properties, UV-vis spectroscopy, epifluorescence microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy were used to study CdSe quantum dots (QDs) in 2D. By combining these results, it was possible to determine the molar absorptivity, limiting nanoparticle area, luminescence property, and arrangement of the QDs in the monolayer films at the air-water interface. Either trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) or 1-octadecanethiol (ODT) stabilized the QDs. The data collected reveal that TOPO forms close-packed monolayers on the surface of the QDs and that ODT-stabilized QDs undergo alkyl chains interdigitation. It was also found that varying the nanoparticle size, nature of surfactant, surface pressure, and mixed monolayers could help engineer the 2D self-assembly of the QDs at the air-water interface. Of practical importance is the transfer of these monolayer films onto hydrophilic or hydrophobic solid substrates, which could be successfully accomplished via the Langmuir-Blodgett film deposition technique.     

Solvothermal synthesis of InP quantum dots and their enhanced luminescent efficiency by post-synthetic treatments

InP quantum dots (QDs) were solvothermally synthesized by using a greener phosphorus source of P(N(CH(3))(2))(3) instead of highly toxic P(TMS)(3) widely used, and subsequently subjected to a size-sorting processing. While as-grown QDs showed an undetectably low emission intensity, post-synthetic treatments such as photo-etching, photo-radiation, and photo-assisted ZnS shell coating gave rise to a substantial increase in emission efficiency due to the effective removal and passivation of surface states. The emission efficiency of the photo-etched QDs was further enhanced by a consecutive UV photo-radiation, attributable to the photo-oxidation at QD surface. Furthermore, a relatively thick ZnS shell on the surface of InP QDs that were surface-modified with hydrophilic ligands beforehand was photochemically generated in an aqueous solution at room temperature. The resulting InP/ZnS core/shell QDs, emitting from blue to red wavelengths, were more efficient than the above photo-treated InP QDs, and their luminescent properties (emission bandwidth and quantum yield) were comparable to those of InP QDs synthesized with P(TMS)(3). Structural, size, and compositional analyses on InP/ZnS QDs were also conducted to elucidate their core/shell structure.     

Control of the optical properties of quantum dots by surface coating with calix[n]arene carboxylic acids

A new method for the control of the optical properties of quantum dots (QDs) has been developed using calix[n]arene carboxylic acids (1-3) as surface coating agents for QDs. The calixarene coating of CdSe/ZnS QDs was easily performed in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature. Deprotonation of the carboxyl groups of the calixarene derivatives surrounding the QDs resulted in highly fluorescent water-soluble QDs. The emission peak of the calixarene-coated QDs shifted to longer wavelengths depending on the oligomer size of the calix[n]arene derivative used for the surface coating. Although the red shift of the emission peak decreases with the increase in the particle size of QDs, this surface coating method is useful for the preparation of multi-colored water-soluble QDs from a single-colored hydrophobic QD.     

Characterization of primary amine capped CdSe, ZnSe, and ZnS quantum dots by FT-IR: determination of surface bonding interaction and identification of selective desorption

Surface ligands of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) critically influence their properties and functionalities. It is of strong interest to understand the structural characteristics of surface ligands and how they interact with the QDs. Three quantum dot (QD) systems (CdSe, ZnSe, and ZnS) with primary aliphatic amine capping ligands were characterized primarily by FT-IR spectroscopy as well as NMR, UV-vis, and fluorescence spectroscopy, and by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Representative primary amines ranging from 8 to 16 carbons were examined in the vapor phase, KBr pellet, and neat and were compared to the QD samples. The strongest hydrogen-bonding effects of the adsorbed ligands were observed in CdSe QDs with the weakest observed in ZnS QDs. There was an observed splitting of the N-H scissoring mode from 1610 cm(-1) in the neat sample to 1544 and 1635 cm(-1) when bound to CdSe QDs, which had the largest splitting of this type. The splitting is attributed to amine ligands bound to either Cd or Se surface sites, respectively. The effect of exposure of the QDs dispersed in nonpolar medium to methanol as a crashing agent was also examined. In the CdSe system, the Cd-bound scissoring mode disappeared, possibly due to methanol replacing surface cadmium sites. The opposite was observed for ZnSe QDs, in which the Se-bound scissoring mode disappeared. It was concluded that surface coverage and ligand bonding partners could be characterized by FT-IR and that selective removal of surface ligands could be achieved through introduction of competitive binding interactions at the surface.     

基于量子点的荧光共振能量转移

研究了具有相反电荷的两种量子点间的荧光共振能量转移.分别以巯基乙酸(TGA)和十六烷基三甲基溴化胺(CTMAB)修饰发射绿色和红色荧光的CdSe/ZnS量子点,使其由油溶性变为水溶性,且表面带相反的电荷,并对修饰后的水相量子点进行琼脂糖凝胶电泳、荧光成像、量子产率等系列表征.对两种量子点间的荧光共振能量转移现象进行研究.结果表明: 在激发波长为400 nm时,两种量子点在磷酸盐缓冲溶液(pH 7.5)中具有较好的荧光共振能量转移效率(猝灭效率0.54,增强效率0.27).     

耦联剂辅助吸附法制备CuInS2量子点敏化太阳电池

分别以CuI 和InAc3 作为铜源和铟源, 十二硫醇(DDT)作为硫源, 采用直接加热法合成不同尺寸的CuInS₂ (CIS)量子点. 运用X射线衍射(XRD), 拉曼光谱(Raman), 高分辨率透射电镜(HRTEM), 紫外-可见(UVVis)吸收光谱表征其相结构、形貌及光学性能. 结果表明: 制备的CIS量子点为黄铜矿结构, 且随着时间的延长, 量子点逐渐长大, 吸收光谱的激子吸收峰逐渐红移, 表现出量子尺寸效应. 采用巯基乙酸为双功能耦联剂辅助吸附法制备CIS敏化的TiO₂薄膜. 通过衰减全反射红外光谱(ATR-FTIR)分析得出, 巯基乙酸上的羧基与TiO₂表面羟基连接, 另一端上的巯基代替长链的DDT与CIS 耦联, 将CIS 成功锚定在TiO₂表面. 该方法不仅操作简单, 而且容易实现CIS在TiO₂表面的吸附. 太阳电池光电性能测试表明, 粒径大小约为3.6 nm的CIS量子点表现出最优的吸附能力以及光电转换性能. 进一步采用连续离子吸附层法对CIS敏化的TiO₂薄膜进行CdS包覆, 光电转换性能大大提高, 其效率达到2.83%, 这主要源于CdS的包覆钝化了CIS 的表面缺陷, 有效地降低了电子复合.     

Controllable Blinking‐to‐Nonblinking Behavior of Aqueous CdTeS Alloyed Quantum Dots

Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are very important optical nanomaterials with a wide range of potential applications. However, the blinking of single QDs is an intrinsic drawback for some biological and photoelectric applications based on single‐dot emission. In this work, we systematically investigated the effects of certain synthetic conditions on the blinking behavior of aqueous CdTeS alloyed QDs, and observed that blinking behaviors of QDs were able to be controlled by the structure and concentration of the thiol compounds that were used as surface ligands. In optimal conditions, completely nonblinking QDs were prepared using certain thiol ligands as stabilizers in aqueous phase. The suppressed blinking mechanism was mainly attributed to elimination of QDs surface traps by coordination of thiol ligands with vacant Cd atoms, formation of appropriate CdS coating on QDs, and controlling the growth dynamics of QDs. Nonblinking QDs show high quantum yield, small size, and good solubility, and will be applied to some fields that were previously limited by blinking of traditional QDs.     

CdX(X=Se,Te,Te/ZnS)量子点脂质体的制备及毒性比较

在水相中以巯基乙酸(mercaptoacetic acid, MA)为稳定剂合成了CdSe、CdTe、CdTe/ZnS量子点及谷胱甘肽(glutathione, GSH)为稳定剂合成了CdTe量子点,然后通过卵磷脂和胆固醇修饰制得相应的量子点脂质体。溶血实验证实GSH修饰量子点的溶血率低于MA修饰的量子点45%;脂质体修饰后,量子点的溶血率＜5%,达到生物医用材料要求。不同表面修饰的量子点对小鼠毒性存在明显差异,荧光显微镜观察组织切片证实量子点在小鼠体内主要分布在肺、肾、胸腺等组织中,而脂质体量子点在脑组     

发光可调Au:ZnCdS合金量子点的水相合成

以巯基丙酸作为配体,在水溶液中合成了发光位置在495~583 nm可调的Au∶Zn Cd S合金量子点,研究了掺杂含量、Zn/Cd比和p H等对量子点光学性质的影响。对预提纯的Au∶Zn Cd S核量子点进行Zn S包覆,量子点表面的缺陷被有效去除,发光效率明显提高。利用X-射线粉末衍射、透射电子显微镜对其结构和形貌进行了表征。     

Electrochemically Determining Electronic Structure of ZnO Quantum Dots with Different Surface Ligands

The electronic structure of quantum dots (QDs) including band edges and possible trap states is an important physical property for optoelectronic applications. The reliable determination of the energy levels of QDs remains a big challenge. Herein we employ cyclic voltammetry (CV) to determine the energy levels of three types of ZnO QDs with different surface ligands. Coupled with spectroscopic techniques, it is found that the onset potential of the first reductive wave is likely related to the conduction band edges while the first oxidative wave originates from the trap states. The determined specific energy levels in CV further demonstrates that the ZnO QDs without surface ligands mainly have oxygen interstitial defects whilst the ZnO QDs covered with ligands contain oxygen vacancies. The present electrochemical method offers a powerful and effective way to determine the energy levels of wide bandgap ZnO QDs, which will boost their device performance.     

Purification of denatured bovine serum albumin coated CdTe quantum dots for sensitive detection of silver(I) ions

CdTe quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized in aqueous solution with 3-mercaptopropionic acid as the stabilizer. Chemically reduced bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used to modify the surface of the QDs. Experimental results showed that the denatured BSA (dBSA) could be effectively conjugated to the surface of CdTe QDs. Column chromatography was used to purify the conjugates and determine the optimal ratio of dBSA to QDs. Further experimental results showed that the conjugation of QDs by dBSA efficiently improved the photoluminescence quantum yield, the chemical stability of QDs and their stability against photobleaching. A facile and sensitive method for determination of silver(I) ions was proposed based on the fluorescence quenching of the dBSA–QDs. Under the optimal conditions, the relative fluorescence intensity decreased linearly with the concentration of the silver(I) ions in the range 0.08–10.66 μM. The detection limit was 0.01 μM. This study provides a new method for the detection of metal cations. Figure In this work, denatured BSA was used to modify the surface of CdTe QDs by a simple and rapid method. And the conjugates of dBSA-QDs were purified by column of Sephadex G-100. After the purification of the conjugates, the sensitivity was greatly increased as silver (I) ions probe.