1
|
Zhang H, Liu J, Besteiro LV, Selopal GS, Zhao Z, Sun S, Rosei F. Advanced Interface Engineering in Gradient Core/Shell Quantum Dots Enables Efficient Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Evolution. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2306203. [PMID: 38128031 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202306203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Semiconductor core/shell quantum dots (QDs) are considered promising building blocks to fabricate photoelectrochemical (PEC) cells for the direct conversion of solar energy into hydrogen (H2). However, the lattice mismatch between core and shell in such QDs results in undesirable defects and severe carrier recombination, limiting photo-induced carrier separation/transfer and solar-to-fuel conversion efficiency. Here, an interface engineering approach is explored to minimize the core-shell lattice mismatch in CdS/CdSexS1-x (x = 0.09-1) core/shell QDs (g-CSG). As a proof-of-concept, PEC cells based on g-CSG QDs yield a remarkable photocurrent density of 13.1 mA cm-2 under AM 1.5 G one-sun illumination (100 mW cm-2), which is ≈54.1% and ≈33.7% higher compared to that in CdS/CdSe0.5S0.5 (g-CSA) and CdS/CdSe QDs (g-CS), respectively. Theoretical calculations and carrier dynamics confirm more efficient carrier separation and charge transfer rate in g-CSG QDs with respect to g-CSA and g-CS QDs. These results are attributed to the minimization of the core-shell lattice mismatch by the cascade gradient shell in g-CSG QDs, which modifies carrier confinement potential and reduces interfacial defects. This work provides fundamental insights into the interface engineering of core/shell QDs and may open up new avenues to boost the performance of PEC cells for H2 evolution and other QDs-based optoelectronic devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhang
- School of Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Xidian University, Xi'an, 710126, P. R. China
| | - Jiabin Liu
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications, 1650 Boulevard Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Québec, J3X 1P7, Canada
| | | | - Gurpreet S Selopal
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications, 1650 Boulevard Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Québec, J3X 1P7, Canada
- Department of Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University, Truro, NS, B2N 5E3, Canada
| | - Zhenhuan Zhao
- School of Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Xidian University, Xi'an, 710126, P. R. China
| | - Shuhui Sun
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications, 1650 Boulevard Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Québec, J3X 1P7, Canada
| | - Federico Rosei
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications, 1650 Boulevard Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Québec, J3X 1P7, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Bashir A, Khan SR, Aqib AI, Shafique L, Ataya FS. Multifunctional integration of tungsten oxide (WO 3) coating: A versatile approach for enhanced performance of antibiotics against single mixed bacterial infections. Microb Pathog 2024; 189:106571. [PMID: 38341107 DOI: 10.1016/j.micpath.2024.106571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
Nanomaterials containing tungsten (TNMs), characterized by diverse nanostructures had been extensively used in biomedical sector. Despite numerous reports focusing on TNM applications in specific biomedical areas, there is a noticeable absence of comprehensive studies that focused on detailed characterization of nanomaterials along with their biological applications. The present work described the structural, morphological, and antimicrobial properties of tungsten oxide (WO3) nanoparticles coated by antibiotics (nanobiotics), and their application on single and mixed bacterial culture. The nanobiotics included in this study were WO3 coated with ampicillin (W+A), WO3 coated with penicillin (P+W), and WO3 coated with ciprofloxacin (C+W). Techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Rrman spectroscopy, and UV-visible spectroscopy were used to characterize synthesized nanoparticles. The minimum inhibitory concentration of C+W nanobiotic against S. aureus, E. coli, and mixed culture (S. aureus +E. coli) was lower than that of P+W and A+W. The impact of incubation period showed significant differences for each of nanobiotic against S. aureus, E. coli, and mixed culture. However, there were also non-significant differences among incubation periods for antibacterial activity of nanobiotics. It was pertinent to note that percentage variation in susceptibility of S. aureus with respect to mixed culture remained higher as compared to E. coli, indicating it stronger candidate imposing resistance. This paper thus suggested the strategy of coating of antibiotics with with WO3 nanoparticles as an ideal combination for resistance modulation against single and mixed culture bacteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Arslan Bashir
- Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
| | - Shanza Rauf Khan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, 38000, Pakistan
| | - Amjad Islam Aqib
- Department of Medicine, Cholistan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bahawalpur, 63100, Pakistan.
| | - Laiba Shafique
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Beibu Gulf Marine Biodiversity Conservation, Beibu Gulf University, Guangxi, 535011, China
| | - Farid S Ataya
- Department of Biochemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, PO Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Tang L, Zhang Y, Liao C, Guo Y, Lu Y, Xia Y, Liu Y. Temperature-Dependent Photoluminescence of CdS/ZnS Core/Shell Quantum Dots for Temperature Sensors. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 22:8993. [PMID: 36433589 PMCID: PMC9698013 DOI: 10.3390/s22228993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Exploring the temperature-dependent photoluminescence (PL) properties of quantum dots (QDs) is not only important for understanding the carrier recombination processes in QD-based devices but also critical for expanding their special applications at different temperatures. However, there is still no clear understanding of the optical properties of CdS/ZnS core/shell QDs as a function of temperature. Herein, the temperature-dependent PL spectra of CdS/ZnS core/shell QDs were studied in the temperature range of 77-297 K. It was found that the band-edge emission (BEE) intensity decreases continuously with increasing temperature, while the surface-state emission (SSE) intensity first increases and then decreases. For BEE intensity, in the low temperature range, a small activation energy (29.5 meV) in the nonradiative recombination process led to the decrease of PL intensity of CdS/ZnS core/shell QDs; and at high temperature the PL intensity attenuation was caused by the thermal escape process. On the other hand, the temperature-dependent variation trend of the SSE intensity was determined by the competition of the trapping process of the surface trap states and the effect of thermally activated non-radiative defects. As the temperature increased, the PL spectra showed a certain degree of redshift in the peak energies of both band-edge and surface states and the PL spectrum full width at half-maximum (FWHM) increases, which was mainly due to the coupling of exciton and acoustic phonon. Furthermore, the CIE chromaticity coordinates turned from (0.190, 0.102) to (0.302, 0.194), which changed dramatically with temperature. The results indicated that the CdS/ZnS core/shell QDs are expected to be applied in temperature sensors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luping Tang
- College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
- SEU-FEI Nano-Pico Center, Key Lab of MEMS of Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Yangyang Zhang
- College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Chen Liao
- College of Electronic and Optical Engineering & College of Flexible Electronics (Future Technology), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yingqing Guo
- College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Yingtao Lu
- College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Yixuan Xia
- College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Yiwei Liu
- College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tang L, Zhang Y, Liao C, He L, Wu X, Liu Y, Sun L. Eye-Resolvable Surface-Plasmon-Enhanced Fluorescence Temperature Sensor. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 12:4019. [PMID: 36432304 PMCID: PMC9695039 DOI: 10.3390/nano12224019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 11/12/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Temperature sensors are widely used in important fields such as daily home, medical care, and aerospace as a commonly used device for measuring temperature. Traditional temperature sensors such as thermocouples, thermal resistances, and infrared sensors are technically mature; however, they have limitations in the application environment, temperature measurement range, and temperature measurement accuracy. An eye-resolvable surface plasmon-enhanced fluorescence temperature sensor based on dual-emission Ag@SiO2@CdS/ZnS composite nanoparticle film with multiple-parameter detectable signals and high response sensitivity was proposed in this work. The temperature sensor's x-chromaticity coordinate varied from 0.299 to 0.358 in the range of 77-297 K, while the y-chromaticity coordinate varied from 0.288 to 0.440, displaying eye-resolvable surface plasmon-enhanced fluorescence. The ratiometric response of two isolated photoluminescence (PL) peak-integrated areas located around 446 and 592 nm was found to be significantly temperature dependent, with a thermal sensitivity of 1.4% K-1, which can be used as an additional parameter to measure the precise temperature. Furthermore, the surface state emission peak intensity was linearly related to temperature, with a correlation index Adj. R-Square of 99.8%. Multiple independent temperature estimates can help with self-calibration and improve the measurement accuracy. Our findings show that the designed sensors can detect low temperatures while maintaining stability and reproducibility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luping Tang
- College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
- SEU-FEI Nano-Pico Center, Key Lab of MEMS of Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Yangyang Zhang
- College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Chen Liao
- College of Electronic and Optical Engineering & College of Flexible Electronics (Future Technology), Nanjing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Longbing He
- SEU-FEI Nano-Pico Center, Key Lab of MEMS of Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| | - Xing Wu
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Multidimensional Information Processing, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Yiwei Liu
- College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Litao Sun
- SEU-FEI Nano-Pico Center, Key Lab of MEMS of Ministry of Education, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, China
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Lu D, Retama JR, Marin R, Marqués MI, Calderón OG, Melle S, Haro-González P, Jaque D. Thermoresponsive Polymeric Nanolenses Magnify the Thermal Sensitivity of Single Upconverting Nanoparticles. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2022; 18:e2202452. [PMID: 35908155 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202202452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Lanthanide-based upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) are trustworthy workhorses in luminescent nanothermometry. The use of UCNPs-based nanothermometers has enabled the determination of the thermal properties of cell membranes and monitoring of in vivo thermal therapies in real time. However, UCNPs boast low thermal sensitivity and brightness, which, along with the difficulty in controlling individual UCNP remotely, make them less than ideal nanothermometers at the single-particle level. In this work, it is shown how these problems can be elegantly solved using a thermoresponsive polymeric coating. Upon decorating the surface of NaYF4 :Er3+ ,Yb3+ UCNPs with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM), a >10-fold enhancement in optical forces is observed, allowing stable trapping and manipulation of a single UCNP in the physiological temperature range (20-45 °C). This optical force improvement is accompanied by a significant enhancement of the thermal sensitivity- a maximum value of 8% °C+1 at 32 °C induced by the collapse of PNIPAM. Numerical simulations reveal that the enhancement in thermal sensitivity mainly stems from the high-refractive-index polymeric coating that behaves as a nanolens of high numerical aperture. The results in this work demonstrate how UCNP nanothermometers can be further improved by an adequate surface decoration and open a new avenue toward highly sensitive single-particle nanothermometry.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dasheng Lu
- Nanomaterials for Bioimaging Group (NanoBIG), Departamento de Física de Materiales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, 28049, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Ciencia de Materiales Nicolás Cabrera, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, 28049, Spain
- Nanomaterials for Bioimaging Group (NanoBIG), Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, IRYCIS, Ctra. Colmenar km. 9.100, Madrid, 28034, Spain
| | - Jorge Rubio Retama
- Nanomaterials for Bioimaging Group (NanoBIG), Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, IRYCIS, Ctra. Colmenar km. 9.100, Madrid, 28034, Spain
- Departamento de Química en Ciencias Farmacéuticas, Facultad de Farmacia, Plaza de Ramón y Cajal, s/n, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, 28040, Spain
| | - Riccardo Marin
- Nanomaterials for Bioimaging Group (NanoBIG), Departamento de Física de Materiales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, 28049, Spain
- Nanomaterials for Bioimaging Group (NanoBIG), Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, IRYCIS, Ctra. Colmenar km. 9.100, Madrid, 28034, Spain
| | - Manuel I Marqués
- Instituto Universitario de Ciencia de Materiales Nicolás Cabrera, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, 28049, Spain
- Departamento de Física de Materiales and IFIMAC, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, 28049, Spain
| | - Oscar G Calderón
- Departamento de Óptica, Facultad de Óptica y Optometría, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, 28037, Spain
| | - Sonia Melle
- Departamento de Óptica, Facultad de Óptica y Optometría, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Madrid, 28037, Spain
| | - Patricia Haro-González
- Nanomaterials for Bioimaging Group (NanoBIG), Departamento de Física de Materiales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, 28049, Spain
- Instituto Universitario de Ciencia de Materiales Nicolás Cabrera, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, 28049, Spain
| | - Daniel Jaque
- Nanomaterials for Bioimaging Group (NanoBIG), Departamento de Física de Materiales, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, 28049, Spain
- Nanomaterials for Bioimaging Group (NanoBIG), Instituto Ramón y Cajal de Investigación Sanitaria, IRYCIS, Ctra. Colmenar km. 9.100, Madrid, 28034, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Huang Y, Lai Z, Jin J, Lin F, Li F, Lin L, Tian D, Wang Y, Xie R, Chen X. Ultrasensitive Temperature Sensing Based on Ligand-Free Alloyed CsPbCl x Br 3-x Perovskite Nanocrystals Confined in Hollow Mesoporous Silica with High Density of Halide Vacancies. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2021; 17:e2103425. [PMID: 34647396 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202103425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Temperature sensing based on fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystals has recently received immense attention. Enhancing the trap-facilitated thermal quenching of the fluorescence should be an effective approach to achieve high sensitivity for temperature sensing. Compared with conventional semiconductor nanocrystals, the defect-tolerant feature of lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (LHP NCs) endows them with high density of defects. Here, hollow mesoporous silica (h-SiO2 ) template-assisted ligand-free synthesis and halogen manipulation (chloride-importing) are proposed to fabricate highly defective yet fluorescent CsPbCl1.2 Br1.8 NCs confined in h-SiO2 (CsPbCl1.2 Br1.8 NCs@h-SiO2 ) for ultrasensitive temperature sensing. The trap barrier heights, exciton-phonon scattering, and trap state filling process in the CsPbCl1.2 Br1.8 NCs@h-SiO2 and CsPbBr3 NCs@h-SiO2 are studied to illustrate the higher temperature sensitivity of CsPbCl1.2 Br1.8 NCs@h-SiO2 at physiological temperature range. By integrating the thermal-sensitive CsPbCl1.2 Br1.8 NCs@h-SiO2 and thermal-insensitive K2 SiF6 :Mn4+ phosphor into the flexible ethylene-vinyl acetate polymer matrix, ratiometric temperature sensing from 30.0 °C to 45.0 °C is demonstrated with a relative temperature sensitivity up to 13.44% °C-1 at 37.0 °C. The composite film shows high potential as a thermometer for monitoring the body temperature. This work demonstrates the unparalleled temperature sensing performance of LHP NCs and provides new inspiration on switching the defects into advantages in sensing applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yipeng Huang
- Department of Chemistry and the MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Zhiwei Lai
- Department of Chemistry and the MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Jingwen Jin
- Department of Chemistry and the MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Fangyuan Lin
- Department of Chemistry and the MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Feiming Li
- College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Environment, Minnan Normal University, Zhangzhou, 363000, China
| | - Longhui Lin
- Department of Chemistry and the MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Dongjie Tian
- Department of Chemistry and the MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Yiru Wang
- Department of Chemistry and the MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Rongjun Xie
- College of Materials, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Department of Chemistry and the MOE Key Laboratory of Spectrochemical Analysis & Instrumentation, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361005, China
- Shenzhen Research Institute of Xiamen University, Shenzhen, 518000, China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Yang F, Zhang Q, Huang S, Ma D. Recent advances of near infrared inorganic fluorescent probes for biomedical applications. J Mater Chem B 2020; 8:7856-7879. [PMID: 32749426 DOI: 10.1039/d0tb01430c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Near infrared (NIR)-excitable and NIR-emitting probes have fuelled advances in biomedical applications owing to their power in enabling deep tissue imaging, offering high image contrast and reducing phototoxicity. There are essentially three NIR biological windows, i.e., 700-950 nm (NIR I), 1000-1350 nm (NIR II) and 1550-1870 nm (NIR III). Recently emerging optical probes that can be excited by an 800 nm laser and emit in the NIR II or III windows, denoted as NIR I-to-NIR II/III, are particularly attractive. That is because the longer wavelengths in the NIR II and NIR III windows offer deeper penetration and higher signal to noise ratio than those in the NIR I window. NIR imaging has indeed become a quickly evolving field and, simultaneously, stimulated the further development of new classes of NIR I-to-NIR II/III inorganic fluorescent probes, which include PbS, Ag2S-based quantum dots (QDs) and rare earth (RE) doped NPs (RENPs) that possess quite diverse optical properties and follow different emission mechanisms. This review summarizes the recent progress on material merits, synthetic routes, the rational choice of excitation in the NIR I window, NIR II/III emission optimization, and surface modification of aforementioned fluorescent probes. We also introduce the latest notable accomplishments enabled by these probes in fluorescence imaging, lifetime-based multiplexed imaging and photothermal therapy (PTT), together with a critical discussion of forthcoming challenges and perspectives for clinic use.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fan Yang
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Énergie, Matériaux et Télécommunications, 1650 Boul. Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Québec J3X 1S2, Canada.
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
8
|
Zhao H, Vomiero A, Rosei F. Tailoring the Heterostructure of Colloidal Quantum Dots for Ratiometric Optical Nanothermometry. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2020; 16:e2000804. [PMID: 32468691 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202000804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2020] [Revised: 04/15/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) are a fascinating class of semiconducting nanocrystals, thanks to their optical properties tunable through size and composition, and simple synthesis methods. Recently, colloidal double-emission QDs have been successfully applied as competitive optical temperature sensors, since they exhibit structure-tunable double emission, temperature-dependent photoluminescence, high quantum yield, and excellent photostability. Until now, QDs have been used as nanothermometers for in vivo biological thermal imaging, and thermal mapping in complex environments at the sub-microscale to nanoscale range. In this Review, recent progress for QD-based nanothermometers is highlighted and perspectives for future work are described.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haiguang Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Bio-Fibers and Eco-Textiles, Qingdao University, No. 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao, 266071, P. R. China
- College of Physics, University-Industry Joint Center for Ocean Observation and Broadband Communication, Qingdao University, Qingdao, 266071, P. R. China
| | - Alberto Vomiero
- Division of Materials Science, Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, 971 87, Sweden
- Department of Molecular Science and Nano Systems, Ca' Foscari University of Venice Via Torino 155, Venezia Mestre, 30172, Italy
| | - Federico Rosei
- Centre for Energy, Materials and Telecommunications, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université du Québec, 1650 Boulevard Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Québec, J3X1S2, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
PbS Quantum Dots Decorating TiO 2 Nanocrystals: Synthesis, Topology, and Optical Properties of the Colloidal Hybrid Architecture. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25122939. [PMID: 32604749 PMCID: PMC7356616 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25122939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Fabrication of heterostructures by merging two or more materials in a single object. The domains at the nanoscale represent a viable strategy to purposely address materials’ properties for applications in several fields such as catalysis, biomedicine, and energy conversion. In this case, solution-phase seeded growth and the hot-injection method are ingeniously combined to fabricate TiO2/PbS heterostructures. The interest in such hybrid nanostructures arises from their absorption properties that make them advantageous candidates as solar cell materials for more efficient solar light harvesting and improved light conversion. Due to the strong lattice mismatch between TiO2 and PbS, the yield of the hybrid structure and the control over its properties are challenging. In this study, a systematic investigation of the heterostructure synthesis as a function of the experimental conditions (such as seeds’ surface chemistry, reaction temperature, and precursor concentration), its topology, structural properties, and optical properties are carried out. The morphological and chemical characterizations confirm the formation of small dots of PbS by decorating the oleylamine surface capped TiO2 nanocrystals under temperature control. Remarkably, structural characterization points out that the formation of heterostructures is accompanied by modification of the crystallinity of the TiO2 domain, which is mainly ascribed to lattice distortion. This result is also confirmed by photoluminescence spectroscopy, which shows intense emission in the visible range. This originated from self-trapped excitons, defects, and trap emissive states.
Collapse
|
10
|
Encapsulation of Dual Emitting Giant Quantum Dots in Silica Nanoparticles for Optical Ratiometric Temperature Nanosensors. APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/app10082767] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Accurate temperature measurements with a high spatial resolution for application in the biomedical fields demand novel nanosized thermometers with new advanced properties. Here, a water dispersible ratiometric temperature sensor is fabricated by encapsulating in silica nanoparticles, organic capped PbS@CdS@CdS “giant” quantum dots (GQDs), characterized by dual emission in the visible and near infrared spectral range, already assessed as efficient fluorescent nanothermometers. The chemical stability, easy surface functionalization, limited toxicity and transparency of the silica coating represent advantageous features for the realization of a nanoscale heterostructure suitable for temperature sensing. However, the strong dependence of the optical properties on the morphology of the final core–shell nanoparticle requires an accurate control of the encapsulation process. We carried out a systematic investigation of the synthetic conditions to achieve, by the microemulsion method, uniform and single core silica coated GQD (GQD@SiO2) nanoparticles and subsequently recorded temperature-dependent fluorescent spectra in the 281-313 K temperature range, suited for biological systems. The ratiometric response—the ratio between the two integrated PbS and CdS emission bands—is found to monotonically decrease with the temperature, showing a sensitivity comparable to bare GQDs, and thus confirming the effectiveness of the functionalization strategy and the potential of GQD@SiO2 in future biomedical applications.
Collapse
|
11
|
He J, Ji B, Koley S, Banin U, Avnir D. Metallic Conductive Luminescent Film. ACS NANO 2019; 13:10826-10834. [PMID: 31487452 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.9b06021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
We report a solution for the challenge of having luminescence and metal conductivity from the same material. The fabrication of a hybrid metal-conductive luminescent film that manifests this dual property is described: the conductivity arising from a continuous gold thin film structure and luminescence originating from the embedded fluorescent emitters (nanoparticles of silica-coated CdSe/CdS quantum dots (QD/SiO2 NPs)). The embedding of the QD/SiO2 NPs is performed via a self-templating gold electroless process. The presence of the insulating silica layer on the QDs avoids quenching and enables luminescence, while still allowing plasmonic coupling of the QDs, as observed by luminescence lifetime analysis and by surface-enhanced Raman scattering. The potential applications of this special dual functionality are demonstrated by its used as a temperature probe: Passing current (heating the gold thin film) affects the emission intensity and induces a spectral red-shift of the QD/SiO2 NPs. All properties of this metal-conductive luminescent film required the special embedding architecture and are not observed with simple adsorption of QD/SiO2 NPs on a continuous Au film.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jin He
- Institute of Chemistry and the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology , The Hebrew University of Jerusalem , Jerusalem 9190401 , Israel
| | - Botao Ji
- Institute of Chemistry and the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology , The Hebrew University of Jerusalem , Jerusalem 9190401 , Israel
| | - Somnath Koley
- Institute of Chemistry and the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology , The Hebrew University of Jerusalem , Jerusalem 9190401 , Israel
| | - Uri Banin
- Institute of Chemistry and the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology , The Hebrew University of Jerusalem , Jerusalem 9190401 , Israel
| | - David Avnir
- Institute of Chemistry and the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology , The Hebrew University of Jerusalem , Jerusalem 9190401 , Israel
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Chern M, Kays JC, Bhuckory S, Dennis AM. Sensing with photoluminescent semiconductor quantum dots. Methods Appl Fluoresc 2019; 7:012005. [PMID: 30530939 PMCID: PMC7233465 DOI: 10.1088/2050-6120/aaf6f8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Fluorescent sensors benefit from high signal-to-noise and multiple measurement modalities, enabling a multitude of applications and flexibility of design. Semiconductor nanocrystal quantum dots (QDs) are excellent fluorophores for sensors because of their extraordinary optical properties. They have high thermal and photochemical stability compared to organic dyes or fluorescent proteins and are extremely bright due to their large molar cross-sections. In contrast to organic dyes, QD emission profiles are symmetric, with relatively narrow bandwidths. In addition, the size tunability of their emission color, which is a result of quantum confinement, make QDs exceptional emitters with high color purity from the ultra-violet to near infrared wavelength range. The role of QDs in sensors ranges from simple fluorescent tags, as used in immunoassays, to intrinsic sensors that utilize the inherent photophysical response of QDs to fluctuations in temperature, electric field, or ion concentration. In more complex configurations, QDs and biomolecular recognition moieties like antibodies are combined with a third component to modulate the optical signal via energy transfer. QDs can act as donors, acceptors, or both in energy transfer-based sensors using Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET), nanometal surface energy transfer (NSET), or charge or electron transfer. The changes in both spectral response and photoluminescent lifetimes have been successfully harnessed to produce sensitive sensors and multiplexed devices. While technical challenges related to biofunctionalization and the high cost of laboratory-grade fluorimeters have thus far prevented broad implementation of QD-based sensing in clinical or commercial settings, improvements in bioconjugation methods and detection schemes, including using simple consumer devices like cell phone cameras, are lowering the barrier to broad use of more sensitive QD-based devices.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Margaret Chern
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Boston University, Boston, United States of America
| | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Back M, Ueda J, Brik MG, Lesniewski T, Grinberg M, Tanabe S. Revisiting Cr 3+-Doped Bi 2Ga 4O 9 Spectroscopy: Crystal Field Effect and Optical Thermometric Behavior of Near-Infrared-Emitting Singly-Activated Phosphors. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:41512-41524. [PMID: 30379517 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b15607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The increasing interest in the development of ratiometric optical thermal sensors has led to a wide variety of new systems with promising properties. Among them, singly-doped ratiometric thermometers were recently demonstrated to be particularly reliable. With the aim to discuss the development of an ideal optical thermal sensor, a combined experimental and theoretical insight into the spectroscopy of the Bi2Ga4O9:Cr3+ system is reported showing the importance of an insightful analysis in a wide temperature range. Low-temperature photoluminescence analysis (from 10 K) and the temperature dependence of the lifetime investigation, together with the crystal field analysis and the modeling of the thermal quenching process, allow the estimation of key parameters such as the Debye temperature (cutoff frequency), the Huang-Rhys parameter, and the energy barrier between 2Eg and 4T2g. Additionally, by considering the reliable class of singly-doped ratiometric thermometers based on a couple of excited states obeying the Boltzmann law, the important role played by the absolute sensitivity was discussed and the great potential of Cr3+ singly-activated systems was demonstrated. The results may provide new guidelines for the design of reliable optical thermometers with outstanding and robust performances.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michele Back
- Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies , Kyoto University , Kyoto 606-8501 , Japan
| | - Jumpei Ueda
- Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies , Kyoto University , Kyoto 606-8501 , Japan
| | - Mikhail G Brik
- Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies , Kyoto University , Kyoto 606-8501 , Japan
- Institute of Physics , University of Tartu , W. Ostwald Str. 1 , Tartu 50411 , Estonia
| | - Tadeusz Lesniewski
- Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics , University of Gdańsk , 80-308 Gdańsk , Poland
| | - Marek Grinberg
- Institute of Experimental Physics, Faculty of Mathematics, Physics and Informatics , University of Gdańsk , 80-308 Gdańsk , Poland
| | - Setsuhisa Tanabe
- Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies , Kyoto University , Kyoto 606-8501 , Japan
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Basu K, Zhang H, Zhao H, Bhattacharya S, Navarro-Pardo F, Datta PK, Jin L, Sun S, Vetrone F, Rosei F. Highly stable photoelectrochemical cells for hydrogen production using a SnO 2-TiO 2/quantum dot heterostructured photoanode. NANOSCALE 2018; 10:15273-15284. [PMID: 30067257 DOI: 10.1039/c8nr02286k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting implementing colloidal quantum dots (QDs) as sensitizers is a promising approach for hydrogen (H2) generation, due to the QD's size-tunable optical properties. However, the challenge of long-term stability of the QDs is still unresolved. Here, we introduce a highly stable QD-based PEC device for H2 generation using a photoanode based on a SnO2-TiO2 heterostructure, sensitized by CdSe/CdS core/thick-shell "giant" QDs. This hybrid photoanode architecture leads to an appreciable saturated photocurrent density of ∼4.7 mA cm-2, retaining an unprecedented ∼96% of its initial current density after two hours, and sustaining ∼93% after five hours of continuous irradiation under an AM 1.5G (100 mW cm-2) simulated solar spectrum. Transient photoluminescence (PL) measurements demonstrate that the heterostructured SnO2-TiO2 photoanode exhibits faster electron transfer compared with the bare TiO2 photoanode. The lower electron transfer rate in the TiO2 photoanode can be attributed to slow electron kinetics in the ultraviolet regime, revealed by ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy. Graphene microplatelets were further introduced into the heterostructured photoanode, which boosted the photocurrent density to ∼5.6 mA cm-2. Our results demonstrate that the SnO2-TiO2 heterostructured photoanode holds significant potential for developing highly stable PEC cells.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kaustubh Basu
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, Centre Énergie, Matériaux et Télécommunications, Université du Québec, 1650 Boulevard Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Québec J3X 1S2, Canada.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Sadeghi S, Bahmani Jalali H, Melikov R, Ganesh Kumar B, Mohammadi Aria M, Ow-Yang CW, Nizamoglu S. Stokes-Shift-Engineered Indium Phosphide Quantum Dots for Efficient Luminescent Solar Concentrators. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2018; 10:12975-12982. [PMID: 29589740 PMCID: PMC5997383 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b19144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) show promise because of their potential for low-cost, large-area, and high-efficiency energy harvesting. Stokes shift engineering of luminescent quantum dots (QDs) is a favorable approach to suppress reabsorption losses in LSCs; however, the use of highly toxic heavy metals in QDs constitutes a serious concern for environmental sustainability. Here, we report LSCs based on cadmium-free InP/ZnO core/shell QDs with type-II band alignment that allow for the suppression of reabsorption by Stokes shift engineering. The spectral emission and absorption overlap was controlled by the growth of a ZnO shell on an InP core. At the same time, the ZnO layer also facilitates the photostability of the QDs within the host matrix. We analyzed the optical performance of indium-based LSCs and identified the optical efficiency as 1.45%. The transparency, flexibility, and cadmium-free content of the LSCs hold promise for solar window applications.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sadra Sadeghi
- Graduate
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Department of Biomedical
Sciences and Engineering, and Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Koç University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Houman Bahmani Jalali
- Graduate
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Department of Biomedical
Sciences and Engineering, and Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Koç University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Rustamzhon Melikov
- Graduate
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Department of Biomedical
Sciences and Engineering, and Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Koç University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Baskaran Ganesh Kumar
- Graduate
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Department of Biomedical
Sciences and Engineering, and Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Koç University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Mohammad Mohammadi Aria
- Graduate
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Department of Biomedical
Sciences and Engineering, and Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Koç University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
| | - Cleva W. Ow-Yang
- Department
of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Sabanci
University, Istanbul 34956, Turkey
| | - Sedat Nizamoglu
- Graduate
School of Materials Science and Engineering, Department of Biomedical
Sciences and Engineering, and Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Koç University, Istanbul 34450, Turkey
- E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Navarro-Pardo F, Zhao H, Wang ZM, Rosei F. Structure/Property Relations in "Giant" Semiconductor Nanocrystals: Opportunities in Photonics and Electronics. Acc Chem Res 2018; 51:609-618. [PMID: 29260851 DOI: 10.1021/acs.accounts.7b00467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Semiconductor nanocrystals exhibit size-tunable absorption and emission ranging from the ultraviolet (UV) to the near-infrared (NIR) spectral range, high absorption coefficient, and high photoluminescence quantum yield. Effective surface passivation of these so-called quantum dots (QDs) may be achieved by growing a shell of another semiconductor material. The resulting core/shell QDs can be considered as a model system to study and optimize structure/property relations. A special case consists in growing thick shells (1.5 up to few tens of nanometers) to produce "giant" QDs (g-QDs). Tailoring the chemical composition and structure of CdSe/CdS and PbS/CdS g-QDs is a promising approach to widen the spectral separation of absorption and emission spectra (i.e., the Stokes shift), improve the isolation of photogenerated carriers from surface defects and enhance charge carrier lifetime and mobility. However, most stable systems are limited by a thick CdS shell, which strongly absorbs radiation below 500 nm, covering the UV and part of the visible range. Modification of the interfacial region between the core and shell of g-QDs or tuning their doping with narrow band gap semiconductors are effective approaches to circumvent this challenge. In addition, the synthesis of g-QDs composed of environmentally friendly elements (e.g., CuInSe2/CuInS2) represents an alternative to extend their absorption into the NIR range. Additionally, the band gap and band alignment of g-QDs can be engineered by proper selection of the constituents according to their band edge positions and by tuning their stoichiometry during wet chemical synthesis. In most cases, the quasi-type II localization regime of electrons and holes is achieved. In this type of g-QDs, electrons can leak into the shell region, while the holes remain confined within the core region. This electron-hole spatial distribution is advantageous for optoelectronic devices, resulting in efficient electron-hole separation while maintaining good stability. This Account provides an overview of emerging engineering strategies that can be adopted to optimize structure/property relations in colloidal g-QDs for efficient photon management or charge separation/transfer. In particular, we focus on our recent contributions to this rapidly expanding field of research. We summarize the design and synthesis of a variety of colloidal g-QDs with the aim of tuning the optical properties, such as absorption/emission in a wide region of the solar spectrum, which allows enlargement of their Stokes shift. We also describe the band alignment within these systems, charge carrier dynamics, and charge transfer from g-QDs into semiconducting oxides. We show how these tailored g-QDs may be used as active components in luminescent solar concentrators, photoelectrochemical cells for hydrogen generation, QD-sensitized solar cells and optical nanothermometers. In each case, we aim at providing insights on structure/property relationships and on how to optimize them toward improving device performance. Finally, we describe perspectives for future work, sketching new directions and opportunities in this field of research at the intersection between chemistry, physics, materials science and engineering.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Fabiola Navarro-Pardo
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, P.R. China
- Centre for Energy, Materials and Telecommunications, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, 1650 Boulevard Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Québec J3X 1S2, Canada
| | - Haiguang Zhao
- College of Physics and The Cultivation Base for State Key Laboratory, Qingdao University, No. 308 Ningxia Road, Qingdao 266071, P.R. China
| | - Zhiming M. Wang
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, P.R. China
| | - Federico Rosei
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, P.R. China
- Centre for Energy, Materials and Telecommunications, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, 1650 Boulevard Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Québec J3X 1S2, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Zhou Y, Zhao H, Ma D, Rosei F. Harnessing the properties of colloidal quantum dots in luminescent solar concentrators. Chem Soc Rev 2018; 47:5866-5890. [DOI: 10.1039/c7cs00701a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 126] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
This review summarizes the recent progress, challenges and perspectives of luminescent solar concentrators based on colloidal quantum dots via harnessing their properties.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yufeng Zhou
- Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications Research Centre
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique
- Varennes
- Canada
| | - Haiguang Zhao
- College of Physics & The Cultivation Base for State Key Laboratory
- Qingdao University
- P. R. China
| | - Dongling Ma
- Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications Research Centre
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique
- Varennes
- Canada
| | - Federico Rosei
- Énergie Matériaux Télécommunications Research Centre
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique
- Varennes
- Canada
- Institute of Fundamental and Frontier Sciences
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Zhang H, Selopal GS, Zhou Y, Tong X, Benetti D, Jin L, Navarro-Pardo F, Wang Z, Sun S, Zhao H, Rosei F. Controlled synthesis of near-infrared quantum dots for optoelectronic devices. NANOSCALE 2017; 9:16843-16851. [PMID: 29072746 DOI: 10.1039/c7nr04950a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We designed a facile approach for the synthesis of PbS quantum dots (QDs) using thiourea and lead acetate as sources of sulfur and lead, respectively. The sizes of the PbS QDs could be systematically controlled by simply adjusting the reaction parameters. Cd post-treatment via a cation exchange method was performed to increase the stability of QDs. As a proof of concept, colloidal PbS QDs synthesized by using air-stable thiourea were employed as light harvesters for both (i) solar driven photoelectrochemical (PEC) hydrogen generation and (ii) QDs sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs). For PEC hydrogen generation, similar saturated photocurrent densities are observed by using thiourea compared to bis(trimethylsilyl) sulfide, which is air-sensitive and unstable. For QDSSCs, the devices fabricated with QDs synthesized from thiourea reveal a better performance compared to devices fabricated with QDs synthesized from traditional bis(trimethylsilyl) sulfide. Our work demonstrates that this synthetic method is a promising alternative to the existing methodologies of PbS QDs and holds great potential for future solar technologies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhang
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, 1650 Boulevard Lionel-Boulet Varennes, Quebec J3X 1S2, Canada.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
|
20
|
Zhao H, Jin L, Zhou Y, Bandar A, Fan Z, Govorov AO, Mi Z, Sun S, Rosei F, Vomiero A. Green synthesis of near infrared core/shell quantum dots for photocatalytic hydrogen production. NANOTECHNOLOGY 2016; 27:495405. [PMID: 27834311 DOI: 10.1088/0957-4484/27/49/495405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Quantum dots (QDs) are attractive systems for potential applications in future solar energy technologies, due to their optical properties which are tunable as a function of size and composition. In this study, we synthesized PbS QDs with first excitonic peak in the range 1060 to 1300 nm using a PbCl2/sulfur molar ratio of 10:1. The first excitonic absorption peak from 1300 to 950 nm of the PbS/CdS core/shell QDs can be further synthesized via the cation exchange approach. Our method resulted in high quantum yield, good stability, monodisperse QD solutions with a full surface coverage by excess Cd cations. In addition, we used our core/shell QDs in a photoelectrochemical cell for hydrogen generation. This heterostructure exhibited a saturated photocurrent as high as 3.3 mA cm-2, leading to ∼29 ml cm-2 d-1 hydrogen generation, indicating the strong potential of our core/shell QDs for applications in water splitting.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haiguang Zhao
- Centre for Energy, Materials and Telecommunications, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, 1650 Boul. Lionel-Boulet, Varennes (QC) J3X 1S2, Canada
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
21
|
Yan C, Zhao H, Perepichka DF, Rosei F. Lanthanide Ion Doped Upconverting Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Structure and Properties. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2016; 12:3888-3907. [PMID: 27345736 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201601565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Lanthanide doped upconverting nanoparticles (UCNPs) have emerged as a new class of luminescent materials, with major discoveries and overall significant progress during the last decade. Unlike multiphoton absorption in organic dyes or semiconductor quantum dots, lanthanide doped UCNPs involve real intermediate quantum states and convert infrared (IR) into visible light via sequential electronic excitation. The relatively high efficiency of this process even at low radiation flux makes UCNPs particularly attractive for many current and emerging areas of technology. The aim of this article is to highlight several recent advances in this rapidly growing field, emphasizing the relationships between structure and properties of UCNPs. Additionally, various strategies developed for the synthesis of UCNPs with a focus on the various synthetic approaches that yield high-quality monodisperse samples with controlled size, shape and crystalline phase are reviewed. Emerging synthetic approaches towards designed structure to improve the optical and electronic properties of UCNPs are discussed. Finally, recent examples of applications of UCNPs in biomedical and optoelectronics research, giving our own perspectives on future directions and emerging possibilities of the field are described.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Chenglin Yan
- Centre for Energy, Materials and Telecommunications, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, 1650 Boul. Lionel Boulet, J3×1S2, Varennes, QC, Canada
| | - Haiguang Zhao
- Centre for Energy, Materials and Telecommunications, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, 1650 Boul. Lionel Boulet, J3×1S2, Varennes, QC, Canada
| | - Dmitrii F Perepichka
- Department of Chemistry, McGill University, H3A 0B8, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Center for Self-Assembled Chemical Structures, McGill University, H3A 0B8, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Federico Rosei
- Centre for Energy, Materials and Telecommunications, Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, 1650 Boul. Lionel Boulet, J3×1S2, Varennes, QC, Canada
- Center for Self-Assembled Chemical Structures, McGill University, H3A 0B8, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Institute for Fundamental and Frontier Science, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
22
|
Pinchetti V, Meinardi F, Camellini A, Sirigu G, Christodoulou S, Bae WK, De Donato F, Manna L, Zavelani-Rossi M, Moreels I, Klimov VI, Brovelli S. Effect of Core/Shell Interface on Carrier Dynamics and Optical Gain Properties of Dual-Color Emitting CdSe/CdS Nanocrystals. ACS NANO 2016; 10:6877-87. [PMID: 27276033 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.6b02635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Two-color emitting colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) are of interest for applications in multimodal imaging, sensing, lighting, and integrated photonics. Dual color emission from core- and shell-related optical transitions has been recently obtained using so-called dot-in-bulk (DiB) CdSe/CdS NCs comprising a quantum-confined CdSe core embedded into an ultrathick (∼7-9 nm) CdS shell. The physical mechanism underlying this behavior is still under debate. While a large shell volume appears to be a necessary condition for dual emission, comparison between various types of thick-shell CdSe/CdS NCs indicates a critical role of the interface "sharpness" and the presence of potential barriers. To elucidate the effect of the interface morphology on the dual emission, we perform side-by-side studies of CdSe/CdS DiB-NCs with nominally identical core and shell dimensions but different structural properties of the core/shell interface arising from the crystal structure of the starting CdSe cores (zincblende vs wurtzite). While both structures exhibit dual emission under comparable pump intensities, NCs with a zincblende core show a faster growth of shell luminescence with excitation fluence and a more readily realized regime of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) even under "slow" nanosecond excitation. These distinctions can be linked to the structure of the core/shell interface: NCs grown from the zincblende cores contain a ∼3.5 nm thick zincblende CdS interlayer, which separates the core from the wurtzite CdS shell and creates a potential barrier for photoexcited shell holes inhibiting their relaxation into the core. This helps maintain a higher population of shell states and simplifies the realization of dual emission and ASE involving shell-based optical transitions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Pinchetti
- Dipartimento di Scienza dei Materiali, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca , Via Cozzi 55, IT-20125 Milano, Italy
| | - Francesco Meinardi
- Dipartimento di Scienza dei Materiali, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca , Via Cozzi 55, IT-20125 Milano, Italy
| | - Andrea Camellini
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano , Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, IT-20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Gianluca Sirigu
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano , Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, IT-20133 Milano, Italy
| | | | - Wan Ki Bae
- Chemistry Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory , Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
| | | | - Liberato Manna
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Via Morego 30, IT-16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Margherita Zavelani-Rossi
- Dipartimento di Energia, Politecnico di Milano , Via Ponzio 34/3, IT-20133 Milano, Italy
- Institute for Photonics and Nanotechnologies IFN-CNR , Piazza Leonardo da Vinci 32, IT-20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Iwan Moreels
- Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia , Via Morego 30, IT-16163 Genova, Italy
| | - Victor I Klimov
- Chemistry Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory , Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
| | - Sergio Brovelli
- Dipartimento di Scienza dei Materiali, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca , Via Cozzi 55, IT-20125 Milano, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
23
|
Abstract
![]()
Pairs of coupled quantum dots with controlled coupling between
the two potential wells serve as an extremely rich system, exhibiting
a plethora of optical phenomena that do not exist in each of the isolated
constituent dots. Over the past decade, coupled quantum systems have
been under extensive study in the context of epitaxially grown quantum
dots (QDs), but only a handful of examples have been reported with
colloidal QDs. This is mostly due to the difficulties in controllably
growing nanoparticles that encapsulate within them two dots separated
by an energetic barrier via colloidal synthesis methods. Recent advances
in colloidal synthesis methods have enabled the first clear demonstrations
of colloidal double quantum dots and allowed for the first exploratory
studies into their optical properties. Nevertheless, colloidal double
QDs can offer an extended level of structural manipulation that allows
not only for a broader range of materials to be used as compared with
epitaxially grown counterparts but also for more complex control over
the coupling mechanisms and coupling strength between two spatially
separated quantum dots. The photophysics of these nanostructures is governed by the balance
between two coupling mechanisms. The first is via dipole–dipole
interactions between the two constituent components, leading to energy
transfer between them. The second is associated with overlap of excited
carrier wave functions, leading to charge transfer and multicarrier
interactions between the two components. The magnitude of the coupling
between the two subcomponents is determined by the detailed potential
landscape within the nanocrystals (NCs). One of the hallmarks of double QDs is the observation of dual-color
emission from a single nanoparticle, which allows for detailed spectroscopy
of their properties down to the single particle level. Furthermore,
rational design of the two coupled subsystems enables one to tune
the emission statistics from single photon emission to classical emission.
Dual emission also provides these NCs with more advanced functionalities
than the isolated components. The ability to better tailor the emission
spectrum can be advantageous for color designed LEDs in lighting and
display applications. The different response of the two emission colors
to external stimuli enables ratiometric sensing. Control over hot
carrier dynamics within such structures allows for photoluminescence
upconversion. This Account first provides a description of the main hurdles toward
the synthesis of colloidal double QDs and an overview of the growing
library of synthetic pathways toward constructing them. The main discoveries
regarding their photophysical properties are then described in detail,
followed by an overview of potential applications taking advantage
of the double-dot structure. Finally, a perspective and outlook for
their future development is provided.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ayelet Teitelboim
- Department of Physics of
Complex Systems, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Noga Meir
- Department of Physics of
Complex Systems, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Miri Kazes
- Department of Physics of
Complex Systems, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Dan Oron
- Department of Physics of
Complex Systems, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| |
Collapse
|
24
|
Zhao H, Sirigu G, Parisini A, Camellini A, Nicotra G, Rosei F, Morandi V, Zavelani-Rossi M, Vomiero A. Dual emission in asymmetric "giant" PbS/CdS/CdS core/shell/shell quantum dots. NANOSCALE 2016; 8:4217-26. [PMID: 26837955 DOI: 10.1039/c5nr08881j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Semiconducting nanocrystals optically active in the infrared region of the electromagnetic spectrum enable exciting avenues in fundamental research and novel applications compatible with the infrared transparency windows of biosystems such as chemical and biological optical sensing, including nanoscale thermometry. In this context, quantum dots (QDs) with double color emission may represent ultra-accurate and self-calibrating nanosystems. We present the synthesis of giant core/shell/shell asymmetric QDs having a PbS/CdS zinc blende (Zb)/CdS wurtzite (Wz) structure with double color emission close to the near-infrared (NIR) region. We show that the double emission depends on the excitation condition and analyze the electron-hole distribution responsible for the independent and simultaneous radiative exciton recombination in the PbS core and in the CdS Wz shell, respectively. These results highlight the importance of the driving force leading to preferential crystal growth in asymmetric QDs, and provide a pathway for the rational control of the synthesis of double color emitting giant QDs, leading to the effective exploitation of visible/NIR transparency windows.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haiguang Zhao
- CNR-INO SENSOR Lab, Via Branze 45, 25123 Brescia, Italy and Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, 1650 Boulevard Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Québec J3X 1S2, Canada.
| | - Gianluca Sirigu
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano, piazza L. da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Andrea Parisini
- CNR-IMM Sezione di Bologna, Via Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | - Andrea Camellini
- Dipartimento di Fisica, Politecnico di Milano, piazza L. da Vinci 32, 20133 Milano, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Nicotra
- CNR-IMM Sezione di Catania, Strada VIII, 5, 95121 Catania, Italy
| | - Federico Rosei
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, 1650 Boulevard Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Québec J3X 1S2, Canada. and Institute for Fundamental and Frontier Science University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu 610054, P.R. China and Center for Self-Assembled Chemical Structures, McGill University, 801 Sherbrooke Street West, Montreal, QC H3A 0B8, Canada
| | - Vittorio Morandi
- CNR-IMM Sezione di Bologna, Via Gobetti 101, 40129 Bologna, Italy
| | | | - Alberto Vomiero
- Institut National de la Recherche Scientifique, 1650 Boulevard Lionel-Boulet, Varennes, Québec J3X 1S2, Canada. and Department of Engineering Sciences and Mathematics, Luleå University of Technology, 971 98 Luleå, Sweden.
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Teitelboim A, Oron D. Broadband Near-Infrared to Visible Upconversion in Quantum Dot-Quantum Well Heterostructures. ACS NANO 2016; 10:446-52. [PMID: 26592258 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.5b05329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Upconversion is a nonlinear process in which two, or more, long wavelength photons are converted to a shorter wavelength photon. It holds great promise for bioimaging, enabling spatially resolved imaging in a scattering specimen and for photovoltaic devices as a means to surpass the Shockley-Queisser efficiency limit. Here, we present dual near-infrared and visible emitting PbSe/CdSe/CdS nanocrystals able to upconvert a broad range of NIR wavelengths to visible emission at room temperature. The synthesis is a three-step process, which enables versatility and tunability of both the visible emission color and the NIR absorption edge. Using this method, one can achieve a range of desired upconverted emission peak positions with a suitable NIR band gap.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ayelet Teitelboim
- Department of Physics of Complex Systems, Weizmann Institute of Science , Rehovot, Israel 7610001
| | - Dan Oron
- Department of Physics of Complex Systems, Weizmann Institute of Science , Rehovot, Israel 7610001
| |
Collapse
|