Preparation of Highly Biocompatible ZnSe Quantum Dots Using a New Source of Acetyl Cysteine as Capping Agent

Excitation-independent deep-blue emitting carbon dots with 62% emission quantum efficiency and monoexponential decay profile for high-resolution fingerprint identification

Reaching emissive nanomaterials at short wavelengths with a high quantum efficiency (QE) is an attractive task for researchers. This is more demanding in carbon dots (CDs) with diverse applications that usually emit photons at wavelengths around 450-620 nm. In this study, deep blue-emissive doped-CDs (d-CDs) with high photoluminescence (PL) QE up to 62% and excitation-independent properties were prepared via a short-time microwave irradiation method. The prepared CDs showed simultaneous amorphous and crystalline features, with average sizes of 4.75 nm and bright emission color located at 422 nm. It was found that the presence of sulfur-related dopant levels plays a key role in emission properties in such a way that the PL signal drops significantly in the absence of N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) as a dopant source. On the other hand, the trisodium citrate dihydrate (TSC) was selected as a carbon source to form the main carbon skeleton without it no emission was recorded. Monoexponential-fitted recombination trend with an average lifetime of about 10 ns also confirmed excellent PL emission properties with uniform energy levels and minimized defect-contributing recombinations. The practical use of the as-prepared N, S-doped CDs was assessed in fingerprint detection indicating a bright and clear scheme for both core and termination regions of the fingerprint. Simplicity, cost-effectiveness, high-product yield, low toxicity, along with high/stable PL quantum efficiency in deep-blue wavelengths, and demonstrated ability for fingerprint purposes, support the prospective application of these dual doped-CDs for sensing and bioimaging applications.

Gold-selenide quantum dots supported onto cesium ferrite nanocomposites for the efficient degradation of rhodamine B

In this work, different weight percentage of gold-selenide quantum dots (AuSe QDs) (1.0, 2.5, 5.0 and 7.0 wt.%) were successfully synthesized and decorated on cesium ferrite nanocomposite (Cs2Fe2O4 NC). The as-prepared pure AuSe QDs, pure Cs2Fe2O4 NC, and x wt.% AuSe QDs/Cs2Fe2O4 NC photocatalysts were investigated using different characterization techniques such as nitrogen adsorption desorption isotherms (BET), X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. The results show that AuSe QDs were uniformly distributed on Cs2Fe2O4NCs surface as spherical dots with an average size of 1.0-8.0 nm. While the Cs2Fe2O4 NCs possess an average size between 10 to 35 nm. The photocatalytic performance of x wt. % AuSe QDs/Cs2Fe2O4NCs were measured through the photodegradation of rhodamine B (RhB) dye as a model water pollutant, under a150 W-Mercury lamp with a filter (JB400) as a simulated source of visible light. The results revealed that the % degradation of RhB increased from 50.0 %, 59.1 %, 76.4 %, and to 99.15 % within 150 min for the pure Cs2Fe2O4, 1.0, 2.5 and 5.0 wt.% AuSe QDs/Cs2Fe2O4 NC photocatalysts, respectively. The 5.0 wt.% AuSe/Cs2Fe2O4 NC sample showed highest photocatalytic activity. The effect of recycling also studied. High photocatalytic performance and superior stability confirmed that the prepared nanocomposites act as good photocatalysts.

High-quality quantum dots for multiplexed bioimaging: A critical review

Bioimaging done using two or more fluorophores possessing different emission wavelengths can be termed as a multicolor/multiplexed bioimaging technique. Traditionally, images are captured sequentially using multiple fluorophores having specific excitation and emission. For this purpose, multifunctional nanoprobes, such as organic fluorophores, metallic nanoparticles, semiconductor quantum dots, and carbon dots (CDs) are used. Among these fluorophores, quantum dots (QDs) have emerged as an ideal probe for multiplexed bioimaging due to their unique property of size tunable emission. However, the usage of quantum dots in bioimaging is limited due to their toxicity. Furthermore, the reproducibility of optical properties is cynical. These desirable properties, along with enhancement in quantum efficiency, photostability, fluorescence lifetime, etc. can be achieved by stringent control over synthesis parameters. This review summarizes the desirable properties and synthesis methods of such superior QDs followed by their application in multiplexed imaging.

Semiconductor Quantum Dots: An Emerging Candidate for CO2 Photoreduction

As one of the most critical approaches to resolve the energy crisis and environmental concerns, carbon dioxide (CO₂ ) photoreduction into value-added chemicals and solar fuels (for example, CO, HCOOH, CH₃ OH, CH₄ ) has attracted more and more attention. In nature, photosynthetic organisms effectively convert CO₂ and H₂ O to carbohydrates and oxygen (O₂ ) using sunlight, which has inspired the development of low-cost, stable, and effective artificial photocatalysts for CO₂ photoreduction. Due to their low cost, facile synthesis, excellent light harvesting, multiple exciton generation, feasible charge-carrier regulation, and abundant surface sites, semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) have recently been identified as one of the most promising materials for establishing highly efficient artificial photosystems. Recent advances in CO₂ photoreduction using semiconductor QDs are highlighted. First, the unique photophysical and structural properties of semiconductor QDs, which enable their versatile applications in solar energy conversion, are analyzed. Recent applications of QDs in photocatalytic CO₂ reduction are then introduced in three categories: binary II-VI semiconductor QDs (e.g., CdSe, CdS, and ZnSe), ternary I-III-VI semiconductor QDs (e.g., CuInS₂ and CuAlS₂ ), and perovskite-type QDs (e.g., CsPbBr₃ , CH₃ NH₃ PbBr₃ , and Cs₂ AgBiBr₆ ). Finally, the challenges and prospects in solar CO₂ reduction with QDs in the future are discussed.