Tetrahydrofuran Activates Fluorescence Resonant Energy Transfer from a Cationic Conjugated Polyelectrolyte to Fluorescein‐Labeled DNA in Aqueous Media

A cationic water‐soluble conjugated polyelectrolyte, poly[9,9‐bis(6′′‐(N,N,N‐trimethylammonium)hexyl)fluorene‐co‐alt‐2,5‐bis(6′‐(N,N,N‐trimethylammonium)hexyloxyphenylene) tetrabromide], was synthesized. Fluorescence resonant energy transfer (FRET) experiments between the polymer and fluorescein‐labeled single‐stranded DNA (ssDNA‐Fl) were conducted in aqueous buffer and THF/buffer mixtures. Weak fluorescence emission in aqueous buffer was observed upon excitation of the polymer, whereas addition of THF turned on the fluorescence. Fluorescence self‐quenching of ssDNA‐Fl in the ssDNA‐Fl/polymer complexes as well as electron transfer from the polymer to fluorescein may account for the low fluorescence emission in buffer. The improved sensitization of fluorescence by the polymer observed in THF/buffer could be attributed to the weaker binding between the polymer and ssDNA‐Fl and a decrease in dielectric constant of the solvent mixture, which disfavors electron transfer. THF‐assisted signal sensitization was also observed for the polymer and fluorescein‐labeled double‐stranded DNA (dsDNA‐Fl). These results indicate that the use of cosolvent provides a strategy to improve the detection sensitivity for biosensors based on the optical amplification provided by conjugated polymers.     

Fluorescein provides a resonance gate for FRET from conjugated polymers to DNA intercalated dyes

Fluorescence spectra show that excitation of the cationic water-soluble conjugated polymer poly[(1,4-phenylene)-2,7-[9,9-bis(6'-N,N,N-trimethylammonium)-hexyl]fluorene diiodide] (1) results in inefficient fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to ethidium bromide (EB) intercalated within double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). When fluorescein (Fl) is attached to one terminus of the dsDNA, there is efficient FRET from 1 through Fl to EB. The cascading energy-transfer process was examined mechanistically via fluorescence decay kinetics and fluorescence anisotropy measurements. These experiments show that the proximity and conformational freedom of Fl provide a FRET gate to dyes intercalated within DNA which are optically amplified by the properties of the conjugated polymer. The overall process provides a substantial improvement over previous homogeneous conjugated polymer based DNA sensors, namely, in the form of improved selectivity.     

Combinatorial Energy Transfer between an End‐Capped Conjugated Polyelectrolyte and Chromophore‐Labeled PNA for Strand‐Specific DNA Detection

We report a macromolecular end‐capping approach to improve the detection sensitivity of cationic conjugated polymer (CCP) based DNA detection. A phenylethynyl anthracene (PEA) end‐capped cationic polyfluorene (PF) derivative ( P1 ) is synthesized via Suzuki coupling. Due to efficient fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from the polymer backbone to the end‐capper PEA units, the polymer ( P1 ) fluorescence is dominated by the emission from PEA even in dilute aqueous solution. P1 emission has a better spectral overlap with fluorescein (Fl) absorption compared to that for uncapped PF ( P2 ). In addition, the intra and intermolecular energy transfer for P1 is more efficient in the presence of DNA due to complexation‐induced polymer aggregation. These impart a combinatorial FRET between P1 and an Fl‐labeled probe which is more efficient than that between P2 and the same probe. P1 thus offers a better DNA detection sensitivity relative to P2 and opens up new opportunities to improve the performance of CCP based biosensors involving FRET.

     

PNA/dsDNA complexes: site specific binding and dsDNA biosensor applications

The ability of peptide nucleic acids (PNA) to form specific higher-order (i.e., three- and four-stranded) complexes with DNA makes it an ideal structural probe for designing strand-specific dsDNA biosensors. Higher-order complexes are formed between a dye-labeled charge-neutral PNA probe and complementary dsDNA. Addition of a light-harvesting cationic conjugated polymer (CCP) yields supramolecular structures held together by electrostatic forces that incorporate the CCP and the dye-labeled PNA/DNA complexes. Optimization of optical properties allows for excitation of the CCP and subsequent fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) to the PNA-bound dye. In the case of noncomplementary dsDNA, complexation between the probe and target does not occur, and dye emission is weak. The binding between PNA and noncomplementary and complementary dsDNA was examined by several methods. Gel electrophoresis confirms specificity of binding and the formation of higher-order complexes. Nano-electrospray mass spectrometry gives insight into the stoichiometric composition, including PNA/DNA, PNA(2)/DNA, PNA/DNA(2), and PNA(2)/DNA(2) complexes. Finally, structural characteristics and binding-site specificity were examined using ion mobility mass spectrometry in conjunction with molecular dynamics. These results give possible conformations for each of the higher-order complexes formed and show exclusive binding of PNA to the complementary stretch of DNA for all PNA/DNA complexes. Overall, the capability and specificity of binding indicates that the CCP/PNA assay is a feasible detection method for dsDNA and eliminates the need for thermal denaturing steps typically required for DNA hybridization probe assays.     

Optimization of the molecular orbital energies of conjugated polymers for optical amplification of fluorescent sensors

Cationic water-soluble poly(fluorene-co-phenylene)s with electron withdrawing or donating substituents on the conjugated backbone were designed and synthesized. Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) experiments between these conjugated polymers and dye-labeled single-stranded DNA (ssDNA-C*) reveal the importance of matching donor and acceptor orbital energy levels to improve the sensitization of C* emission. Quenching of polymer fluorescence with ssDNA-C* and differences in C* emission suggest involvement of photoinduced charge transfer (PCT) as an energy wasting mechanism. The HOMO and LUMO energy levels of the conjugated polymers and C serve as a preliminary basis to understand the competition between FRET and PCT. Dilution of C in polymer/ssDNA-C complexes by addition of ssDNA yields insight into C*...C self-quenching. Under optimized conditions, where there is no probe self-quenching and minimum PCT, efficient signal amplification is demonstrated despite poor spectral overlap between polymer and C.     

A Micellar Complex of a Conjugated Polyelectrolyte for Efficient FRET to Dye‐Labeled DNA

A polymer–surfactant micellar complex has been studied as a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) donor to fluorescein‐labeled DNA (ssDNA‐Fl). In water, the molar absorptivity and fluorescence quantum efficiency of cationic poly(fluorene‐co‐phenylene) (c‐PFP) are substantially increased in the presence of non‐ionic surfactants. A TEM microscopic study shows the formation of a nanowire micellar complex of c‐PFP and the surfactants. About a 400% enhancement of the FRET signal is measured in c‐PFP/ssDNA‐Fl with Brij 30, relative to that without surfactants. The signal amplification is successfully modulated using different types of non‐ionic surfactants which perturb the complexation, fine‐structure of the complex (i.e., donor‐acceptor separation), and the resulting energy transfer process.

     

Optimization of interactions between a cationic conjugated polymer and chromophore-labeled DNA for optical amplification of fluorescent sensors

Cationic conjugated polymers (CCPs) have been widely utilized as signal amplifiers in biosensors to improve the detection sensitivity through fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from CCPs to dye-labeled probes or targets. This paper investigates the effect of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) on energy transfer between a cationic polyfluoreneethynylene copolymer (P1) and Texas Red labeled single-stranded DNA (ssDNA-TR). The presence of SDS in solution affects both the optical properties of P1 and TR emission within P1/ssDNA-TR complexes, which provides basic information on the role of SDS in FRET between P1 and ssDNA-TR. Although the quantum yield of P1 decreases in the presence of low concentrations of SDS, the presence of SDS reduces TR fluorescence quenching within P1/ssDNA-TR complexes and increases the number of optically active polymer repeat units within the proximity of TR, which are beneficial to P1-sensitized TR emission. In the absence of SDS, FRET from P1 to ssDNA-TR provides a 2.6-fold enhancement in TR emission intensity as compared to that upon direct excitation of TR at 595 nm. At the optimum SDS concentration (5 microM), P1-sensitized TR signal output increases to 11.3-fold relative to direct excitation of TR. This study highlights the importance of modulation of the CCP/ssDNA-dye interaction in improving the signal output of dye-labeled DNA by CCP through FRET.     

谷胱甘肽稳定的CdTe量子点荧光猝灭法测定痕量过氧化氢

以谷胱甘肽稳定的CdTe量子点作为荧光探针,基于荧光猝灭法对过氧化氢进行了定量检测,考察了缓冲溶液体系、量子点浓度、反应时间等多种因素的影响。实验结果表明,在pH=7.2的Na2HPO4-NaH2PO4缓冲液中,反应时间为15min,过氧化氢浓度为1.0×10-6～3.0×10-5 mol/L范围时,其线性回归方程为△F=9.78+7.56c(10-6 mol/L),线性相关系数和检测限分别为0.9992和1.27×10-8 mol/L。谷胱甘肽稳定的CdTe量子点荧光猝灭法已用于水样的测定,回收率在96%～103%之间,相对标准偏差RSD不大于3.3%,结果令人满意。     

含三苯胺单元的超支化共轭聚合物的合成、表征及应用

本实验采用Wittig方法制得了未封端和封端的超支化聚三苯胺-对苯乙烯撑型聚合物,对两种共轭聚合物进行了表征和性能测试.聚合物溶液和固体膜在紫外光照射下均发出较强的绿光.首次对这类聚合物在硝基芳烃化合物荧光猝灭能力进行了初步研究,结果表明:与未封端产物相比,封端后的超支化共轭聚合物在邻硝基甲苯(o-NT)的荧光猝灭效率上有明显提高,当o-NT浓度为21.5×10^-3mol/L时,荧光猝灭效率达到97%.这类共轭聚合物不仅合成操作较为简便,猝灭效率也较高,是一种很有潜力的硝基芳烃化合物荧光检测材料.     

Synthesis of Fe3O4@phenol formaldehyde resin core-shell nanospheres loaded with Au nanoparticles as magnetic FRET nanoprobes for detection of thiols in living cells

A magnetic, sensitive, and selective fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) probe for detection of thiols in living cells was designed and prepared. The FRET probe consists of an Fe(3)O(4) core, a green-luminescent phenol formaldehyde resin (PFR) shell, and Au nanoparticles (NPs) as FRET quenching agent on the surface of the PFR shell. The Fe(3)O(4) NPs were used as the core and coated with green-luminescent PFR nanoshells by a simple hydrothermal approach. Au NPs were then loaded onto the surface of the PFR shell by electric charge absorption between Fe(3)O(4)@PFR and Au NPs after modifying the Fe(3)O(4)@PFR nanocomposites with polymers to alter the charge of the PFR shell. Thus, a FRET probe can be designed on the basis of the quenching effect of Au NPs on the fluorescence of Fe(3)O(4)@PFR nanocomposites. This magnetic and sensitive FRET probe was used to detect three kinds of primary biological thiols (glutathione, homocysteine, and cysteine) in cells. Such a multifunctional fluorescent probe shows advantages of strong magnetism for sample separation, sensitive response for sample detection, and low toxicity without injury to cellular components.     

Quantum Dot Photoluminescence Quenching by Cr(III) Complexes. Photosensitized Reactions and Evidence for a FRET Mechanism

Reported are quantitative studies of the energy transfer from water-soluble CdSe/ZnS and CdSeS/ZnS core/shell quantum dots (QDs) to the Cr(III) complexes trans-Cr(N(4))(X)(2)(+) (N(4) is a tetraazamacrocycle ligand, X(-) is CN(-), Cl(-), or ONO(-)) in aqueous solution. Variation of N(4), of X(-), and of the QD size and composition allows one to probe the relationship between the emission/absorption overlap integral parameter and the efficiency of the quenching of the QD photoluminescence (PL) by the chromium(III) complexes. Steady-state studies of the QD PL in the presence of different concentrations of trans-Cr(N(4))(X)(2)(+) indicate a clear correlation between quenching efficiency and the overlap integral largely consistent with the predicted behavior of a F?rster resonance energy transfer (FRET)-type mechanism. PL lifetimes show analogous correlations, and these results demonstrate that spectral overlap is an important consideration when designing supramolecular systems that incorporate QDs as photosensitizers. In the latter context, we extend earlier studies demonstrating that the water-soluble CdSe/ZnS and CdSeS/ZnS QDs photosensitize nitric oxide release from the trans-Cr(cyclam)(ONO)(2)(+) cation (cyclam = 1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane) and report the efficiency (quantum yield) for this process. An improved synthesis of ternary CdSeS core/shell QDs is also described.     

Charge carrier formation in polythiophene/fullerene blend films studied by transient absorption spectroscopy

We report herein a comparison of the photophysics of a series of polythiophenes with ionization potentials ranging from 4.8 to 5.6 eV as pristine films and when blended with 5 wt % 1-(3-methoxycarbonyl)propyl-1-phenyl-[6,6]C61 (PCBM). Three polymers are observed to give amorphous films, attributed to a nonplanar geometry of their backbone while the other five polymers, including poly(3-hexylthiophene), give more crystalline films. Optical excitation of the pristine films of the amorphous polymers is observed by transient absorption spectroscopy to give rise to polymer triplet formation. For the more crystalline pristine polymers, no triplet formation is observed, but rather a short-lived (approximately 100 ns), broad photoinduced absorption feature assigned to polymer polarons. For all polymers, the addition of 5 wt % PCBM resulted in 70-90% quenching of polymer photoluminescence (PL), indicative of efficient quenching of polythiophene excitons. Remarkably, despite this efficient exciton quenching, the yield of dissociated polymer+ and PCBM- polarons, assayed by the appearance of a long-lived, power-law decay phase assigned to bimolecular recombination of these polarons, was observed to vary by over 2 orders of magnitude depending upon the polymer employed. In addition to this power-law decay phase, the blend films exhibited short-lived decays assigned, for the amorphous polymers, to neutral triplet states generated by geminate recombination of bound radical pairs and, for the more crystalline polymers, to the direct observation of the geminate recombination of these bound radical pairs to ground. These observations are discussed in terms of a two-step kinetic model for charge generation in polythiophene/PCBM blend films analogous to that reported to explain the observation of exciplex-like emission in poly(p-phenylenevinylene)-based blend films. Remarkably, we find an excellent correlation between the free energy difference for charge separation (deltaG(CS)rel) and yield of the long-lived charge generation, with efficient charge generation requiring a much larger deltaG(CS)rel than that required to achieve efficient PL quenching. We suggest that this observation is consistent with a model where the excess thermal energy of the initially formed polaron pairs is necessary to overcome their Coulombic binding energy. This observation has important implications for synthetic strategies to optimize organic solar cell performance, as it implies that, at least devices based on polythiophene/PCBM blend films, a large deltaG(CS)rel (or LUMO level offset) is required to achieve efficient charge dissociation.     

Determination of catecholamine in human serum by a fluorescent quenching method based on a water-soluble fluorescent conjugated polymer-enzyme hybrid system

In this paper, a sensitive water-soluble fluorescent conjugated polymer biosensor for catecholamine (dopamine DA, adrenaline AD and norepinephrine NE) was developed. In the presence of horse radish peroxidase (HRP) and H(2)O(2), catecholamine could be oxidized and the oxidation product of catecholamine could quench the photoluminescence (PL) intensity of poly(2,5-bis(3-sulfonatopropoxy)-1,4-phenylethynylenealt-1,4-poly(phenylene ethynylene)) (PPESO(3)). The quenching PL intensity of PPESO(3) (I(0)/I) was proportional to the concentration of DA, AD and NE in the concentration ranges of 5.0 × 10(-7) to 1.4 × 10(-4), 5.0 × 10(-6) to 5.0 × 10(-4), and 5.0 × 10(-6) to 5.0 × 10(-4) mol L(-1), respectively. The detection limit for DA, AD and NE was 1.4 × 10(-7) mol L(-1), 1.0 × 10(-6) and 1.0 × 10(-6) mol L(-1), respectively. The PPESO(3)-enzyme hybrid system based on the fluorescence quenching method was successfully applied for the determination of catecholamine in human serum samples with good accuracy and satisfactory recovery. The results were in good agreement with those provided by the HPLC-MS method.     

Solvent- and pH-induced self-assembly of cationic meta-linked poly(phenylene ethynylene): effects of helix formation on amplified fluorescence quenching and Förster resonance energy transfer

We reported here the synthesis and characterization of a novel water-soluble, meta-linked poly(phenylene ethynylene) (m-PPE-NEt(2)Me(+)) featuring quaternized side groups. We studied the solvent-induced self-assembly of m-PPE-NEt(2)Me(+) in MeOH/H(2)O solvent mixtures by using UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopies. The results showed that the polymer folded into a helical conformation and that the extent of helical folding increased with the volume % water in the solvent. This cationic polymer also exhibited unique pH-induced helix formation, which was attributed to the partial neutralization of quaternized side groups at high pH and the meta-links in the main chain of the polymer. Studies on the fluorescence quenching of m-PPE-NEt(2)Me(+) by anthraquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AQS) and Fe(CN)(6)(4-), two small-molecule anionic quenchers with different typical structures, revealed more efficient quenching of helical conformation by AQS than by Fe(CN)(6)(4-). We proposed that the two quenchers most likely interacted with the polymer helix in two different modes; that was, AQS featuring large planar aromatic ring could intercalate within adjacent π-stacked phenylene ethynylene units in the polymer helix, whereas Fe(CN)(6)(4-) mainly bound to the periphery of polymer helix through ion-pair formation. Finally, the results of FRET from the helical polymer to the fluorescein (C*)-labeled polyanions, ssDNA-C* (ssDNA: single-stranded DNA) and dsDNA-C* (dsDNA: double-stranded DNA) also suggested two different modes of interactions. As compared with the FRET to dsDNA-C*, the FRET to ssDNA-C* was slightly more efficient, which was believed to arise from the additional binding of ssDNA-C* with the polymer via intercalation of its exposed hydrophobic bases into the π stack of adjacent phenylene ethynylene units in the polymer helix.     

Electronic properties of N(5)-ethyl flavinium ion

We investigated the electronic properties of N(5)-ethyl flavinium perchlorate (Et-Fl(+)) and compared them to those of its parent compound, 3-methyllumiflavin (Fl). Absorption and fluorescence spectra of Fl and Et-Fl(+) exhibit similar spectral features, but the absorption energy of Et-Fl(+) is substantially lower than that of Fl. We calculated the absorption signatures of Fl and Et-Fl(+) using time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) methods and found that the main absorption bands of Fl and Et-Fl(+) are (π,π*) transitions for the S(1) and S(3) excited states. Furthermore, calculations predict that the S(2) state has (n,π*) character. Using cyclic voltammetry and a simplistic consideration of the orbital energies, we compared the HOMO/LUMO energies of Fl and Et-Fl(+). We found that both HOMO and LUMO orbitals of Et-Fl(+) are stabilized relative to those in Fl, although the stabilization of the LUMO level was more pronounced. Visible and mid-IR pump-probe experiments demonstrate that Et-Fl(+) exhibits a shorter excited-state lifetime (590 ps) relative to that of Fl (several nanoseconds), possibly due to faster thermal deactivation in Et-Fl(+), as dictated by the energy gap law. Furthermore, we observed a fast (23-30 ps) S(2) → S(0) internal conversion in transient absorption spectra of both Fl and Et-Fl(+) in experiments that utilized pump excitations with higher energy.     

Ultrafast site-specific fluorescence quenching of 2-aminopurine in a DNA hairpin studied by femtosecond down-conversion

The ΔP(-)PBS analog of the DNA primary binding sequence (PBS) of the HIV-1 genome labeled at different positions by 2-aminopurine (2-AP) is investigated by a novel femtosecond fluorescence down-conversion experiment with 0.3-ps time resolution. The high signal-to-noise ratio of the fluorescence kinetics makes it possible to reveal four distinct decay times ranging from 0.8 ps to 2-3 ns for all the three labeling positions. This suggests the existence of at least four different quenching conformations of 2-AP with its nearest neighbors, and underscores the structural heterogeneity of the loop region of ΔP(-)PBS. Sub-5-ps components are found and attributed to stacking interactions of 2-AP with the flanking guanine (G) side chains, consistent with the NMR structure of ΔP(-)PBS. The observation of a significant increase of their total amplitude when 2-AP is positioned close to the rigid 3'-half of the G-rich stem gives further support to this assignment. Only a minor portion of conformations involves slow nanosecond collisional quenching.     

Sequence Specific Electrochemical DNA Detection Based on Solution‐Phase Competitive Hybridization

We report a novel electrochemical method for detecting sequence‐specific DNA based on competitive hybridization that occurs in a homogeneous solution phase instead of on a solution‐electrode interface as in previously reported competition‐based electrochemical DNA detection schemes. The method utilizes the competition between the target DNA (t‐DNA) and a ferrocene‐labeled peptide nucleic acid probe (Fc‐PNA) to hybridize with a probe DNA (p‐DNA) in solution. The neutral PNA backbone and the electrostatic repulsion between the negatively‐charged DNA backbone and the negatively‐charged electrode surface are then exploited to determine the result of the competition through measurement of the electrochemical signal of Fc. Upon the introduction of the t‐DNA, the stronger hybridization affinity between the t‐DNA and p‐DNA releases the Fc‐PNA from the Fc‐PNA/p‐DNA hybrid, allowing it to freely diffuse to the negatively charged electrode to produce a significantly enhanced electrochemical signal of Fc. Therefore, the presence of the t‐DNA is indicated by the appearance or enhancement of the electrochemical signal, rendering a signal‐on DNA detection, which is less susceptible to false positive and can produce more reliable results than signal‐off detection methods. All the competitive hybridizations occur in a homogeneous solution phase, resulting in very high hybridization efficiency and therefore extremely short assay time. This simple and fast signal‐on solution‐competition‐based electrochemical DNA detection strategy has promising potential to find application in fields such as nucleic acid‐based point‐of‐care testing.     

基于工具酶信号放大技术电化学发光法检测凝血酶

利用巯基乙胺将合成的金纳米粒子氨基化;基于纳米粒子负载羧基化的联吡啶钌和巯基DNA制得电化学发光信号探针;采用酶循环信号放大技术,获得大量含新增DNA的溶液来捕获信号探针;以金电极为载体,将巯基DNA自组装到电极表面,依次杂交互补DNA和信号探针,构建电化学发光生物传感器.在优化的条件下,此传感器对凝血酶具有良好的响应,在3.0× 10-13～6.0×10-11 mol/L范围内,凝血酶的浓度与发光强度呈良好的线性关系,检出限为1.8× 10-13 mol/L(3a).采用酶切循环放大技术制备的生物传感器具有灵敏度高,选择性和重现性良好等特点.     

The quenching of the fluorescence of carbon dots: A review on mechanisms and applications

Carbon dots (CDs) possess unique optical properties such as tunable photoluminescence (PL) and excitation dependent multicolor emission. The quenching and recovery of the fluorescence of CDs can be utilized for detecting analytes. The PL mechanisms of CDs have been discussed in previous articles, but the quenching mechanisms of CDs have not been summarized so far. Quenching mechanisms include static quenching, dynamic quenching, Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), photoinduced electron transfer (PET), surface energy transfer (SET), Dexter energy transfer (DET) and inner filter effect (IFE). Following an introduction, the review (with 88 refs.) first summarizes the various kinds of quenching mechanisms of CDs (including static quenching, dynamic quenching, FRET, PET and IFE), the principles of these quenching mechanisms, and the methods of distinguishing these quenching mechanisms. This is followed by an overview on applications of the various quenching mechanisms in detection and imaging.

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Graphical abstract Schematic representation of the quenching mechanisms of carbon dots (CDs) which include static quenching, dynamic quenching, Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), photoinduced electron transfer(PET), surface energy transfer (SET), Dexter energy transfer (DET) and inner filter effect (IFE). All these effects can be used to detect and image analytes.

     

Quenching of photoluminescence in conjugates of quantum dots and single-walled carbon nanotube

Development of quantum dot (QD) based device components requires controlled integration of QDs into different photonic and electronic materials. In this regard, introduction of methods for regular arrangement of QDs and investigation of properties of QD-based assemblies are important. In the current work we report (1) controlled conjugation of CdSe-ZnS QDs to sidewall-functionalized single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) templates (2) and the effect of conjugation of QDs to SWCNT on the photoluminescence (PL) properties of QDs. We identified that PL intensity and lifetime of QDs are considerably reduced after conjugation to SWCNT. The origin of the quenching of the PL intensity and lifetime was discussed in terms of F?rster resonance energy transfer (FRET). FRET involves nonradiative transfer of energy from a photoexcited QD (energy donor) to a nearby SWCNT (energy acceptor) in the ground state. This was examined by varying the density of QDs on SWCNT and conjugating smaller and bigger QDs to the same SWCNT. We estimated the FRET efficiency in QD-SWCNT conjugates from the quenching of the PL intensity and lifetime and identified that FRET is independent of the density and type of QDs on SWCNT but inherent to QD-SWCNT conjugates.