1
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Yang J, Dong C, Zhang A, Ren J. Quantification of mRNA in Single Cells Based on Dimerization-Induced Photoluminescence Nonblinking of Quantum Dots. Anal Chem 2022; 94:12407-12415. [PMID: 36050288 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c02209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Photoluminescence (PL) intermittency (or "blinking") is a unique characteristic of single quantum dot (QD) emission. Here, we report a novel single-molecule detection strategy for the intracellular mRNA of interest using the mRNA-induced nonblinking QD dimers as probes. The working principle of the method is that the DNA hybrid of the target DNA (or mRNA) with a biotin-modified ssDNA probe can induce two blinking streptavidin-modified QDs (SAV-QDs) conjugated. The formed QD dimer as a bright spot showed a nonblinking emission property, observed with total inner reflection fluorescence microscopy (TIRFM). In theory, one nonblinking spot indicated a target DNA (or mRNA). The experimental results from single-spot fluorescence trajectory analysis and single-particle brightness analysis based on TIRFM and fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) techniques verified this dimerization process of QDs or its induced nonblinking emission. Employing a target DNA with the same base sequences to Survivin mRNA as a model, the detection strategy was used to detect the target DNA concentration based on the linear relationship between the percentage of the nonblinking spots and the target DNA concentration. This single-molecule detection strategy was also successfully used for determining Survivin mRNA in a single HeLa cell. The method can simplify the hybridization steps, eliminate self-quenching and photobleaching of fluorophores, and reduce the influence of unspecific binding on the detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Chaoqing Dong
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Aidi Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Jicun Ren
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, State Key Laboratory of Metal Matrix Composites, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China
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2
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Lubin G, Tenne R, Ulku AC, Antolovic IM, Burri S, Karg S, Yallapragada VJ, Bruschini C, Charbon E, Oron D. Heralded Spectroscopy Reveals Exciton-Exciton Correlations in Single Colloidal Quantum Dots. NANO LETTERS 2021; 21:6756-6763. [PMID: 34398604 PMCID: PMC8397400 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.1c01291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Multiply excited states in semiconductor quantum dots feature intriguing physics and play a crucial role in nanocrystal-based technologies. While photoluminescence provides a natural probe to investigate these states, room-temperature single-particle spectroscopy of their emission has proved elusive due to the temporal and spectral overlap with emission from the singly excited and charged states. Here, we introduce biexciton heralded spectroscopy enabled by a single-photon avalanche diode array based spectrometer. This allows us to directly observe biexciton-exciton emission cascades and measure the biexciton binding energy of single quantum dots at room temperature, even though it is well below the scale of thermal broadening and spectral diffusion. Furthermore, we uncover correlations hitherto masked in ensembles of the biexciton binding energy with both charge-carrier confinement and fluctuations of the local electrostatic potential. Heralded spectroscopy has the potential of greatly extending our understanding of charge-carrier dynamics in multielectron systems and of parallelization of quantum optics protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gur Lubin
- Deptartment
of Physics of Complex Systems, Weizmann
Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | - Ron Tenne
- Deptartment
of Physics of Complex Systems, Weizmann
Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
- Department
of Physics and Center for Applied Photonics, University of Konstanz, Konstanz D-78457, Germany
| | - Arin Can Ulku
- School
of Engineering, École Polytechnique
Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Neuchâtel 2002, Switzerland
| | - Ivan Michel Antolovic
- School
of Engineering, École Polytechnique
Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Neuchâtel 2002, Switzerland
| | - Samuel Burri
- School
of Engineering, École Polytechnique
Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Neuchâtel 2002, Switzerland
| | - Sean Karg
- Deptartment
of Physics of Complex Systems, Weizmann
Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
| | | | - Claudio Bruschini
- School
of Engineering, École Polytechnique
Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Neuchâtel 2002, Switzerland
| | - Edoardo Charbon
- School
of Engineering, École Polytechnique
Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Neuchâtel 2002, Switzerland
| | - Dan Oron
- Deptartment
of Physics of Complex Systems, Weizmann
Institute of Science, Rehovot 7610001, Israel
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3
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Das A, Mishra K, Ghosh S. Revealing Explicit Microsecond Carrier Diffusion from One Emission Center to Another in an All-Inorganic Perovskite Nanocrystal. J Phys Chem Lett 2021; 12:5413-5422. [PMID: 34080871 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.1c01154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Blinking of freely diffusing CsPbBr3 nanocrystals (NCs) is studied using fluorescence lifetime correlation spectroscopy (FLCS). Emitted photons from each NCs are assigned to an emission state (exciton or trap) based on their lifetime. Subsequently, an intrastate autocorrelation function (ACF) and an interstate cross-correlation function (CCF) are constructed. Fitting of the AFCs with an analytical model shows that, at low excitation power, the microsecond blinking timescale of the exciton state matches well with that of the trap state. Most interestingly, both of those timescales further correlate with the microsecond growth timescale of the CCF. The strong anti-correlation of the CCF along with the stretched exponential nature of the blinking kinetics confirms the involvement of carrier diffusion and dispersive trap states in NC blinking. At high excitation power, enhanced sample heterogeneity causes a more dispersive blinking. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a NC blinking study using a single-molecule-based FLCS technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayendrila Das
- School of Chemical Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Khurda 752050, Odisha, India
| | - Krishna Mishra
- School of Chemical Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Khurda 752050, Odisha, India
| | - Subhadip Ghosh
- School of Chemical Sciences, National Institute of Science Education and Research, Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), Khurda 752050, Odisha, India
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4
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Ahmed T, Seth S, Samanta A. Mechanistic Investigation of the Defect Activity Contributing to the Photoluminescence Blinking of CsPbBr 3 Perovskite Nanocrystals. ACS NANO 2019; 13:13537-13544. [PMID: 31714741 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.9b07471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Exploration of the full potential of the perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) for different applications requires a thorough understanding of the pathways of recombination of the photogenerated charge carriers and associated dynamics. In this work, we have tracked the recombination routes of the charge carriers by probing photoluminescence (PL) intermittency of the immobilized and freely diffusing single CsPbBr3 NCs employing a time-tagged-time-resolved method. The immobilized single CsPbBr3 NCs show a complex PL time-trace, a careful analysis of which reveals that nonradiative band-edge recombination through trap states, trion recombination, and trapping of the hot carriers contribute to the blinking behavior of any given NC. A drastically suppressed PL blinking observed for the NCs treated with a tetrafluoroborate salt indicates elimination of most of the undesired recombination processes. A fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) study on the freely diffusing single NCs shows that enhanced PL and suppressed blinking of the treated particles are the outcome of an increase in per-particle brightness, not due to any increase in the number of particles undergoing "off"-"on" transition in the observation volume. The mechanistic details obtained from this study on the origin of blinking in CsPbBr3 NCs provide deep insight into the radiative and nonradiative charge carrier recombination pathways in these important materials, and this knowledge is expected to be useful for better design and development of bright photoluminescent samples of this class for optoelectronic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tasnim Ahmed
- School of Chemistry , University of Hyderabad , Hyderabad 500046 , India
| | - Sudipta Seth
- School of Chemistry , University of Hyderabad , Hyderabad 500046 , India
| | - Anunay Samanta
- School of Chemistry , University of Hyderabad , Hyderabad 500046 , India
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5
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Mukherjee A, Ray KK, Phadnis C, Layek A, Bera S, Chowdhury A. Insights on heterogeneity in blinking mechanisms and non-ergodicity using sub-ensemble statistical analysis of single quantum-dots. J Chem Phys 2019; 151:084701. [PMID: 31470698 DOI: 10.1063/1.5095870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Photo-luminescence (P-L) intermittency (or blinking) in semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs), a phenomenon ubiquitous to single-emitters, is generally considered to be temporally random intensity fluctuations between "bright" ("On") and "dark" ("Off") states. However, individual quantum-dots (QDs) rarely exhibit such telegraphic signals, and yet, a vast majority of single-NC blinking data are analyzed using a single fixed threshold which generates binary trajectories. Furthermore, while blinking dynamics can vary dramatically over NCs in the ensemble, the extent of diversity in the exponents (mOn/Off) of single-particle On-/Off-time distributions (P(tOn/Off)), often used to validate mechanistic models of blinking, remains unclear due to a lack of statistically relevant data sets. Here, we subclassify an ensemble of QDs based on the emissivity of each emitter and subsequently compare the (sub)ensembles' behaviors. To achieve this, we analyzed a large number (>1000) of blinking trajectories for a model system, Mn+2 doped ZnCdS QDs, which exhibits diverse blinking dynamics. An intensity histogram dependent thresholding method allowed us to construct distributions of relevant blinking parameters (such as mOn/Off). Interestingly, we find that single QD P(tOn/Off)s follow either truncated power law or power law, and their relative proportion varies over subpopulations. Our results reveal a remarkable variation in mOn/Off amongst as well as within subensembles, which implies multiple blinking mechanisms being operational amongst various QDs. We further show that the mOn/Off obtained via cumulative single-particle P(tOn/Off) is distinct from the weighted mean value of all single-particle mOn/Off, evidence for the lack of ergodicity. Thus, investigation and analyses of a large number of QDs, albeit for a limited time span of a few decades, are crucial to characterize the spatial heterogeneity in possible blinking mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amitrajit Mukherjee
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, India
| | - Korak Kumar Ray
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, India
| | - Chinmay Phadnis
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, India
| | - Arunasish Layek
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, India
| | - Soumya Bera
- Department of Physics, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, India
| | - Arindam Chowdhury
- Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai, India
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6
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Gak VY, Spirin MG, Brichkin SB, Razumov VF. Influence of Dithiols on Fluorescence Blinking of Colloidal Quantum Dots InP@ZnS. HIGH ENERGY CHEMISTRY 2019. [DOI: 10.1134/s0018143919080010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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7
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Reid KR, McBride JR, La Croix AD, Freymeyer NJ, Click SM, Macdonald JE, Rosenthal SJ. Role of Surface Morphology on Exciton Recombination in Single Quantum Dot-in-Rods Revealed by Optical and Atomic Structure Correlation. ACS NANO 2018; 12:11434-11445. [PMID: 30403844 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.8b06472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The physical structure of colloidal quantum dot (QD) nanostructures strongly influences their optical and electronic behavior. A fundamental understanding of this interplay between structure and function is crucial to fully tailor the performance of QDs and their assemblies. Here, by directly correlating the atomic and chemical structure of single CdSe-CdS quantum dot-in-rods with time-resolved fluorescence measurements on the same structures, we identify morphological irregularities at their surfaces that moderate photoluminescence efficiencies. We find that two nonradiative exciton recombination mechanisms are triggered by these imperfections: charging and trap-assisted nonradiative processes. Furthermore, we show that the proximity of the surface defects to the CdSe core of the core-shell structures influences whether the charging or trap-assisted nonradiative channel dominates exciton recombination. Our results extend to other QD nanostructures and emphasize surface roughness as a crucial parameter when designing colloidal QDs with specific excitonic fates.
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8
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Barak Y, Meir I, Shapiro A, Jang Y, Lifshitz E. Fundamental Properties in Colloidal Quantum Dots. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2018; 30:e1801442. [PMID: 29923230 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201801442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2018] [Revised: 04/22/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
A multidisciplinary approach for the production and characterization of colloidal quantum dots, which show great promise for implementation in modern optoelectronic applications, is described. The approach includes the design and formation of unique core/shell structures with alloy-composed layers between the core and the shell. Such structures eliminate interfacial defects and suppress the Auger process, thus reducing the known fluorescence blinking and endowing the quantum dots with robust chemical and spectral stability. The unique design enables the generation and sustained existence of single and multiple excitons with a defined spin-polarized emission recombination. The studies described herein implement the use of single-dot magneto-optical measurements and optically detected magnetic resonance spectroscopy, for direct identification of interfacial defects and for resolving exciton fine structure. The results are of paramount importance for a fundamental understanding of optical transitions in colloidal quantum dots, with an impact on appropriate materials design for practical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yahel Barak
- Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Solid State Institute, Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute, Grand Technion Energy Program, Technion, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Itay Meir
- Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Solid State Institute, Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute, Grand Technion Energy Program, Technion, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Arthur Shapiro
- Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Solid State Institute, Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute, Grand Technion Energy Program, Technion, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Youngjin Jang
- Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Solid State Institute, Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute, Grand Technion Energy Program, Technion, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
| | - Efrat Lifshitz
- Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Solid State Institute, Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute, Grand Technion Energy Program, Technion, Haifa, 3200003, Israel
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9
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Yuan G, Gómez DE, Kirkwood N, Boldt K, Mulvaney P. Two Mechanisms Determine Quantum Dot Blinking. ACS NANO 2018; 12:3397-3405. [PMID: 29579376 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.7b09052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 73] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Many potential applications of quantum dots (QDs) can only be realized once the luminescence from single nanocrystals (NCs) is understood. These applications include the development of quantum logic devices, single-photon sources, long-life LEDs, and single-molecule biolabels. At the single-nanocrystal level, random fluctuations in the QD photoluminescence occur, a phenomenon termed blinking. There are two competing models to explain this blinking: Auger recombination and surface trap induced recombination. Here we use lifetime scaling on core-shell chalcogenide NCs to demonstrate that both types of blinking occur in the same QDs. We prove that Auger-blinking can yield single-exponential on/off times in contrast to earlier work. The surface passivation strategy determines which blinking mechanism dominates. This study summarizes earlier studies on blinking mechanisms and provides some clues that stable single QDs can be engineered for optoelectronic applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gangcheng Yuan
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science, School of Chemistry , University of Melbourne , Parkville , Victoria 3010 , Australia
| | | | - Nicholas Kirkwood
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science, School of Chemistry , University of Melbourne , Parkville , Victoria 3010 , Australia
| | - Klaus Boldt
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science, School of Chemistry , University of Melbourne , Parkville , Victoria 3010 , Australia
| | - Paul Mulvaney
- ARC Centre of Excellence in Exciton Science, School of Chemistry , University of Melbourne , Parkville , Victoria 3010 , Australia
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10
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Xu W, Hou X, Meng Y, Meng R, Wang Z, Qin H, Peng X, Chen XW. Deciphering Charging Status, Absolute Quantum Efficiency, and Absorption Cross Section of Multicarrier States in Single Colloidal Quantum Dots. NANO LETTERS 2017; 17:7487-7493. [PMID: 29160715 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.7b03399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Upon photo- or electrical-excitation, colloidal quantum dots (QDs) are often found in multicarrier states due to multiphoton absorption, photocharging, or imbalanced carrier injection of the QDs. While many of these multicarrier states are observed in single-dot spectroscopy, their properties are not well studied due to random charging/discharging, emission intensity intermittency, and uncontrolled surface defects of single QDs. Here we report in situ deciphering of the charging status, precisely assessing the absorption cross section, and determining the absolute emission quantum yield of monoexciton and biexciton states for neutral, positively charged, and negatively charged single core/shell CdSe/CdS QDs. We uncover very different photon statistics of the three charge states in single QDs and unambiguously identify their charge signs together with the information on their photoluminescence decay dynamics. We then show their distinct photoluminescence saturation behaviors and evaluate the absolute values of absorption cross sections and quantum efficiencies of monoexcitons and biexcitons. We demonstrate that the addition of an extra hole or electron in a QD not only changes its emission properties but also varies its absorption cross section.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weiwang Xu
- School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Luoyu Road 1037, Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaoqi Hou
- Center for Chemistry of Novel & High-Performance Materials, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Yongjun Meng
- School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Luoyu Road 1037, Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Renyang Meng
- Center for Chemistry of Novel & High-Performance Materials, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Zhiyuan Wang
- School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Luoyu Road 1037, Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
| | - Haiyan Qin
- Center for Chemistry of Novel & High-Performance Materials, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Xiaogang Peng
- Center for Chemistry of Novel & High-Performance Materials, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310027, China
| | - Xue-Wen Chen
- School of Physics, Huazhong University of Science and Technology , Luoyu Road 1037, Wuhan 430074, People's Republic of China
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11
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Qin H, Meng R, Wang N, Peng X. Photoluminescence Intermittency and Photo-Bleaching of Single Colloidal Quantum Dot. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2017; 29:1606923. [PMID: 28256776 DOI: 10.1002/adma.201606923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2016] [Revised: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Photoluminescence (PL) blinking of single colloidal quantum dot (QD)-PL intensity switching between different brightness states under constant excitation-and photo-bleaching are roadblocks for most applications of QDs. This progress report shall treat PL blinking and photo-bleaching both as photochemical events, namely, PL blinking as reversible and photo-bleaching being irreversible ones. Most studies on single-molecule spectroscopy of QDs in literature are related to PL blinking, which invites us to concentrate our discussions on the PL blinking, including its brief history in 20 years, analysis methods, competitive mechanisms and different strategies to battle it. In terms of suppression of the PL blinking, wavefunction confinement-confining photo-generated electron and hole within the core and inner portion of the shell of a core/shell QD-demonstrates significant advantages. This strategy yields nearly non-blinking QDs with their emission peaks covering most part of the visible window. As expected, the resulting QDs from this new strategy also show substantially improved anti-bleaching features.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan Qin
- Center for Chemistry of Novel & High-Performance Materials, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Renyang Meng
- Center for Chemistry of Novel & High-Performance Materials, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Na Wang
- Center for Chemistry of Novel & High-Performance Materials, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Xiaogang Peng
- Center for Chemistry of Novel & High-Performance Materials, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
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12
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Gak VY, Tovstun SA, Spirin MG, Brichkin SB, Razumov VF. Influence of alkanethiols on fluorescence blinking of InP@ZnS colloidal quantum dots. HIGH ENERGY CHEMISTRY 2017. [DOI: 10.1134/s0018143917020047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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13
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Mahboub M, Huang Z, Tang ML. Efficient Infrared-to-Visible Upconversion with Subsolar Irradiance. NANO LETTERS 2016; 16:7169-7175. [PMID: 27788577 DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.6b03503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Third generation photovoltaics are inexpensive modules that promise power conversion efficiencies exceeding the thermodynamic Shockley-Queisser limit, perhaps by using up- or down-converters, intermediate band solar cells, tandem cells, hot carrier devices, or multiexciton generation. Here, we report the efficient upconversion of infrared to visible light at excitation densities below the solar flux. Colloidally synthesized core-shell lead sulfide-cadmium sulfide nanocrystals in combination with tetracene derivatives absorb near-infrared light and emit visible light at 560 nm with an upconversion quantum yield (QY) of 8.4 ± 1.0%, which is a factor of 4 lower than the maximum upconversion QY possible. This is achieved with 808 nm cw excitation at 3.2 mW/cm2, approximately three times lower than the available solar flux. The molecular and nanocrystal engineering here paves the way toward utilizing this hybrid upconversion platform in photovoltaics, photodetectors and photocatalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melika Mahboub
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering and ‡Department of Chemistry, University of California , Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Zhiyuan Huang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering and ‡Department of Chemistry, University of California , Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Ming Lee Tang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering and ‡Department of Chemistry, University of California , Riverside, California 92521, United States
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14
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Brichkin SB, Spirin MG, Tovstun SA, Gak VY, Mart’yanova EG, Razumov VF. Colloidal quantum dots InP@ZnS: Inhomogeneous broadening and distribution of luminescence lifetimes. HIGH ENERGY CHEMISTRY 2016. [DOI: 10.1134/s0018143916050064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
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15
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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.
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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
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16
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Lifshitz E. Evidence in Support of Exciton to Ligand Vibrational Coupling in Colloidal Quantum Dots. J Phys Chem Lett 2015; 6:4336-4347. [PMID: 26538048 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpclett.5b01567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The Perspective focuses on the investigation of an unresolved conflict in semiconductor colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) research, concerning the influence of the immediate surrounding on the optical properties of the materials. Today's advanced synthetic colloidal procedures offer formation of a high-quality inorganic crystallite, capped with various organic/inorganic molecular ligands. The Perspective aims to clarify whether exciton recombination processes in CQDs are influenced by the type of crystallite-ligand bonding and, moreover, whether these excitonic processes experience direct coupling to the ligands' vibrational modes. Most ligands used have redox characteristics whose functional groups are added on to the CQDs' surface via coordination, covalent or ionic bonding. The surface-ligand bonding introduces electronic states either above or below the intraband/interband energy gap, resulting in electronic passivation or in creation of trapping states that affect intraband and interband relaxation processes. Furthermore, crystalline electronic states may have a direct coupling to molecular vibrational states via direct overlap of electronic wave functions or through a long-range energy-transfer process. Also, photoejected carriers resulting from an Auger process or ionization processes may diffuse temporarily onto a ligand site. These scenarios are discussed in the current publication with supporting theoretical and experimental observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Efrat Lifshitz
- Schulich Faculty of Chemistry, Russell Berrie Nanotechnology Institute, Solid State Institute, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology , Haifa 32000, Israel
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Miller JB, Dandu N, Velizhanin KA, Anthony RJ, Kortshagen UR, Kroll DM, Kilina S, Hobbie EK. Enhanced Luminescent Stability through Particle Interactions in Silicon Nanocrystal Aggregates. ACS NANO 2015; 9:9772-9782. [PMID: 26348831 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.5b02676] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Close-packed assemblies of ligand-passivated colloidal nanocrystals can exhibit enhanced photoluminescent stability, but the origin of this effect is unclear. Here, we use experiment, simulation, and ab initio computation to examine the influence of interparticle interactions on the photoluminescent stability of silicon nanocrystal aggregates. The time-dependent photoluminescence emitted by structures ranging in size from a single quantum dot to agglomerates of more than a thousand is compared with Monte Carlo simulations of noninteracting ensembles using measured single-particle blinking data as input. In contrast to the behavior typically exhibited by the metal chalcogenides, the measured photoluminescent stability shows an enhancement with respect to the noninteracting scenario with increasing aggregate size. We model this behavior using time-dependent density functional theory calculations of energy transfer between neighboring nanocrystals as a function of nanocrystal size, separation, and the presence of charge and/or surface-passivation defects. Our results suggest that rapid exciton transfer from "bright" nanocrystals to surface trap states in nearest-neighbors can efficiently fill such traps and enhance the stability of emission by promoting the radiative recombination of slowly diffusing excited electrons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph B Miller
- North Dakota State University , Fargo, North Dakota 58108, United States
| | - Naveen Dandu
- North Dakota State University , Fargo, North Dakota 58108, United States
| | - Kirill A Velizhanin
- Theoretical Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory , Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States
| | - Rebecca J Anthony
- University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Uwe R Kortshagen
- University of Minnesota , Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Daniel M Kroll
- North Dakota State University , Fargo, North Dakota 58108, United States
| | - Svetlana Kilina
- North Dakota State University , Fargo, North Dakota 58108, United States
| | - Erik K Hobbie
- North Dakota State University , Fargo, North Dakota 58108, United States
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Liu S, Borys NJ, Sapra S, Eychmüller A, Lupton JM. Localization and Dynamics of Long-Lived Excitations in Colloidal Semiconductor Nanocrystals with Dual Quantum Confinement. Chemphyschem 2015; 16:1663-9. [DOI: 10.1002/cphc.201402826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2015] [Revised: 01/30/2015] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Rabouw FT, Lunnemann P, van Dijk-Moes RJA, Frimmer M, Pietra F, Koenderink AF, Vanmaekelbergh D. Reduced Auger recombination in single CdSe/CdS nanorods by one-dimensional electron delocalization. NANO LETTERS 2013; 13:4884-92. [PMID: 24010869 DOI: 10.1021/nl4027567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Progress to reduce nonradiative Auger decay in colloidal nanocrystals has recently been made by growing thick shells. However, the physics of Auger suppression is not yet fully understood. Here, we examine the dynamics and spectral characteristics of single CdSe-dot-in-CdS-rod nanocrystals. These exhibit blinking due to charging/discharging, as well as trap-related blinking. We show that one-dimensional electron delocalization into the rod-shaped shell can be as effective as a thick spherical shell at reducing Auger recombination of the negative trion state.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freddy T Rabouw
- Condensed Matter and Interfaces, Debye Institute for Nanomaterials Science , Princetonplein 1, 3584 CC Utrecht, The Netherlands
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