Microwave assisted CdSe quantum dot deposition on TiO2 films for dye-sensitized solar cells

CdSe quantum dot (QD ) sensitized TiO(2) films have been fabricated using a one-step microwave assisted chemical bath deposition (MACBD) technique and used as photoanodes for quantum dot sensitized solar cells. This technique allows direct and rapid deposition and a good contact between the CdSe and TiO(2) films. The photovoltaic performances of the cells with CdSe deposited at different times are investigated. The results show that cells based on MACBD deposited TiO(2)/CdSe electrodes achieve a maximum short circuit current density of 12.1 mA cm(-2) and a power conversion efficiency of 1.75% at one Sun (AM 1.5 G, 100 mW cm(-2)), which is comparable with those fabricated using conventional techniques.     

Synthesis and characterization of water soluble choline labeled cadmium selenide/zinc selenide/zinc sulfide luminescent quantum dots

Water soluble choline-labeled CdSe/ZnSe/ZnS quantum dot (QD) bioconjugates were synthesized by attaching a thiolated choline analogue to the core-shell QD surface. Characterization was conducted by absorption and luminescence spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. QDs with diameters of 5–6 nm resulted and exhibited a luminescence maximum at 663 nm in aqueous solution.     

Nanotetrapods: quantum dot hybrid for bulk heterojunction solar cells

Hybrid thin film solar cell based on all-inorganic nanoparticles is a new member in the family of photovoltaic devices. In this work, a novel and performance-efficient inorganic hybrid nanostructure with continuous charge transportation and collection channels is demonstrated by introducing CdTe nanotetropods (NTs) and CdSe quantum dots (QDs). Hybrid morphology is characterized, demonstrating an interpenetration and compacted contact of NTs and QDs. Electrical measurements show enhanced charge transfer at the hybrid bulk heterojunction interface of NTs and QDs after ligand exchange which accordingly improves the performance of solar cells. Photovoltaic and light response tests exhibit a combined optic-electric contribution from both CdTe NTs and CdSe QDs through a formation of interpercolation in morphology as well as a type II energy level distribution. The NT and QD hybrid bulk heterojunction is applicable and promising in other highly efficient photovoltaic materials such as PbS QDs.     

Free-standing single-walled carbon nanotube-CdSe quantum dots hybrid ultrathin films for flexible optoelectronic conversion devices

In this work, we described a facile route for the fabrication of free-standing single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT)-CdSe quantum dots (QDs) hybrid ultrathin films and investigated their optoelectronic conversion properties. A free-standing SWCNT film with thickness of ～36 nm was firstly prepared via vacuum filtration. The film was then immersed into the pre-synthesized oleic acid-capped CdSe QDs (average diameter of 3.5 nm) solution, where CdSe QDs anchored spontaneously onto the surface of SWCNT film to produce SWCNT-CdSe QDs hybrid film. By using pure SWCNT films in different thicknesses as bottom and top electrodes, a flexible all-carbon electrode optoelectronic conversion device with sandwich structure of SWCNT film (thickness of ～200 nm)/SWCNT-CdSe QDs hybrid film (thickness of ～36 nm)/SWCNT film (thickness of ～36 nm) was constructed to generate optoelectronic conversion under illumination of solar-simulated light. Our results demonstrated that the all-carbon electrode structure was effective for charge separation and a sensitive and stable photocurrent signal could be produced in such a device. In addition, our SWCNT-CdSe QDs hybrid film exhibited high flexibility and durability. No clear change in the resistance of the film was detected under bending in various bending angles.     

The formation mechanism of Cd–S–Se quantum dots with CdSe/CdS core–shell structure within silicate glass

The formation mechanism of Cd–S–Se quantum dots (QDs) with a CdS/CdSe core–shell structure within a silicate glass system was investigated by monitoring the change in the first excitonic absorption peak of CdSe, CdS, and Cd–S–Se QDs as a function of the heat-treatment (HT) duration. When a silicate glass containing QD formation components for CdSe or CdS single-phased QDs was heat-treated, CdSe QDs grew via Ostwald ripening, whereas CdS QDs hardly formed within the given silicate glass matrix. When the glass, including CdO, ZnSe, and ZnS, was utilized for the synthesis of Cd–S–Se QDs within the glass matrix, Cd–S–Se QDs were successfully formed and exhibited similar growth behavior to CdSe QDs during the initial stage of HT. The structural changes in the QD-embedded glasses during HT were also monitored by Raman spectroscopy and discussed, and a possible formation mechanism of CdSe/CdS core–shell-structured QDs within silicate glasses is suggested.     

Time-dependent pH sensing phenomena using CdSe/ZnS quantum dots in EIS structure

Time-dependent pH sensing phenomena of the core-shell CdSe/ZnS quantum dot (QD) sensors in EIS (electrolyte insulator semiconductor) structure have been investigated for the first time. The quantum dots are immobilized by chaperonin GroEL protein, which are observed by both atomic force microscope and scanning electron microscope. The diameter of one QD is approximately 6.5 nm. The QDs are not oxidized over a long time and core-shell CdSe/ZnS are confirmed by X-ray photon spectroscopy. The sensors are studied for sensing of hydrogen ions concentration in different buffer solutions at broad pH range of 2 to 12. The QD sensors show improved sensitivity (38 to 55 mV/pH) as compared to bare SiO₂ sensor (36 to 23 mV/pH) with time period of 0 to 24 months, owing to the reduction of defects in the QDs. Therefore, the differential sensitivity of the QD sensors with respect to the bare SiO₂ sensors is improved from 2 to 32 mV/pH for the time period of 0 to 24 months. After 24 months, the sensitivity of the QD sensors is close to ideal Nernstian response with good linearity of 99.96%. Stability and repeatability of the QD sensors show low drift (10 mV for 10 cycles) as well as small hysteresis characteristics (<10 mV). This QD sensor is very useful for future human disease diagnostics.     

N-Ion-implanted TiO2 photoanodes in quantum dot-sensitized solar cells

Hierarchical nanostructured titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) clumps were fabricated using electrostatic spray with subsequent nitrogen-ion doping by an ion-implantation technique for improvement of energy conversion efficiency for quantum dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs). CdSe quantum dots were directly assembled on the produced N-ion-implanted TiO(2) photoanodes by chemical bath deposition, and their photovoltaic performance was evaluated in a polysulfide electrolyte with a Pt counter electrode. We found that the photovoltaic performance of TiO(2) electrodes was improved by nearly 145% upon N-ion implantation. The efficiency improvement seems to be due to (1) the enhancement of electron transport through the TiO(2) layer by inter-particle necking of primary TiO(2) particles and (2) an increase in the recombination resistance at TiO(2)/QD/electrolyte interfaces by healing the surface states or managing the oxygen vacancies upon N-ion doping. Therefore, N-ion-doped photoanodes offer a viable pathway to develop more efficient QD or dye-sensitized solar cells.     

Hybrid light-emitting diodes from anthracene-contained polymer and CdSe/ZnS core/shell quantum dots

In this paper, we added CdSe/ZnS core/shell quantum dots (QDs) into anthracene-contained polymer. The photoluminescent (PL) characteristic of polymer/QD composite film could identify the energy transitions of anthracene-contained polymer and QDs. Furthermore, the electroluminescent (EL) characteristic of hybrid LED also identifies emission peaks of blue polymer and QDs. The maximum luminescence of the device is 970 cd/m² with 9.1 wt.% QD hybrid emitter. The maximum luminous efficiency is 2.08 cd/A for the same device.     

A sandwich-type assay based on quantum dot/aptamer bioconjugates for analysis of E. Coli O157:H7 in microtiter plate format

An optical assay based on CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QD)/NH₂-Apt bioconjugates for the pathogen detection was presented. QDs with carboxyl functional groups and 72-mer aptamer (against E. coli outer membrane proteins) were used as probes and sensing element. E. coli O157:H7 was selected as a model pathogen and 96-well plate assay in the sandwich hybridization format was constructed. Poly-L-lysine-coated 96-well plate surfaces were used as support material where thiol functionalized aptamers were immobilized by 4-(N-Maleimidomethyl)cyclohexane-1-carboxylic acid 3-sulfo-N-hydroxysuccinimide (sulfo-SMCC). After incubation with the bacteria, CdSe/ZnS QDs/aptamer bioconjugates were added. The fluorescence signals were followed before and after addition of bioconjugates. Probe concentrations, incubation time with E. coli O157:H7 were also optimized. The bioassay could detect the pathogen down to 10² CFU/mL with high selectivity. The detection system was successfully employed in samples, in the presence of interfering compounds.     

Self-assembled InAs quantum dot formation on GaAs ring-like nanostructure templates

The evolution of InAs quantum dot (QD) formation is studied on GaAs ring-like nanostructures fabricated by droplet homo-epitaxy. This growth mode, exclusively performed by a hybrid approach of droplet homo-epitaxy and Stransky-Krastanor (S-K) based QD self-assembly, enables one to form new QD morphologies that may find use in optoelectronic applications. Increased deposition of InAs on the GaAs ring first produced a QD in the hole followed by QDs around the GaAs ring and on the GaAs (100) surface. This behavior indicates that the QDs prefer to nucleate at locations of high monolayer (ML) step density.     

A fast synthesis of near-infrared emitting CdTe/CdSe quantum dots with small hydrodynamic diameter for in vivo imaging probes

Highly luminescent near-infrared (NIR) emitting CdTe/CdSe quantum dots (QDs) were prepared through a fast and convenient method, and a new type of multivalent polymer ligands was used as the surface substituents to prepare highly stable hydrophilic QDs with small sizes. The well-defined CdTe/CdSe QDs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, respectively. The as-prepared CdTe/CdSe QDs were photostable with high PL quantum yields (QYs) (up to 66% at room temperature), low toxicity to cells at experimental dosages, and the QDs' fluorescence emissions were tunable between 700 and 820 nm. Furthermore, fluorescence imaging using CdTe/CdSe QDs conjugated with the AS1411 aptamer (targeting nucleolin) probe in cancer cells was reported, and the CdTe/CdSe QDs were also successfully applied for the fluorescence imaging of living animals. Our preliminary results illustrated that the CdTe/CdSe NIR-QDs with small sizes would be an alternative probe for ultrasensitive, multicolor, and multiplex applications, especially for in vivo imaging applications.     

谷氨酰胺为稳定剂制备硒化镉纳米晶及光谱性质研究

以谷氨酰胺(Gln)为稳定剂合成了硒化镉纳米晶,利用X-射线粉末衍射(XRD)和透射电镜(TEM)对纳米晶结构进行了表征,粒径约为20 nm。通过紫外-可见吸收光谱、激发光谱与发射光谱研究了纳米晶光谱特性。实验结果表明,反应温度过高、反应时间过长都会破坏谷氨酰胺(Gln)的稳定作用,使CdSe聚集,影响其荧光性质。而聚乙二醇(PEG)的加入会使纳米晶的荧光发射明显加强,而且发射峰峰形尖锐。     

Preparation and characterization of silicone resin nanocomposite containing CdSe/ZnS quantum dots

We report the preparation of the core/shell cadmium selenide/Zinc sulfide quantum dots (CdSe/ZnS QDs)‐silicone resin nanocomposite through the solution‐mixing method, followed by thermal hydrosilylation. After dispersing QDs into Dow Corning two‐component silicone resins (OE6630A and OE6630B at 1:4 mixing ratio by weight), the resins were cured at 150°C for 1.5 h to produce QD‐silicone resin nanocomposites. The curing behavior of the silicone resins resulting from the thermal hydrosilylation was studied using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The properties of the QD‐silicone resin nanocomposites were investigated by ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis), fluorescence, confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) measurements. The QDs that contain trioctylamine (TOA) as the original ligand can poison the Pt catalyst in the resins and inhibit the curing process by increasing the exothermic peak temperature, at which a lower heat of hydrosilylation is observed. Incorporating a small amount of CdSe/ZnS QDs (0.1 wt%) can greatly improve the thermal stability of the silicone resins. Moreover, CdSe/ZnS QDs tend to form clusters that are relatively homogeneously distributed in a cured silicone resin, offering good optical properties of 11.2 lm W⁻¹ luminous efficiency and 14.6% photoluminescence conversion efficiency (PCE) in light emitting device (LED) test. POLYM. COMPOS., 2012. © 2012 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of Glutathione-Capped CdTe/CdSe Near-Infrared Quantum Dots for Cell Imaging

These glutathione (GSH)-conjugated CdTe/CdSe core/shell quantum dot (QD) nanoparticles in aqueous solution were synthesized using a microwave-assisted approach. The prepared type II core/shell QD nanoparticles were characterized by UV–Vis absorption, photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). Results revealed that the QD nanoparticles exhibited good dispersity, a uniform size distribution and tunable fluorescence emission in the near-infrared (NIR) region. In addition, these nanoparticles exhibited good biocompatibility and photoluminescence in cell imaging. In particular, this type of core/shell NIR QDs may have potential applications in molecular imaging.     

Tri-metallic quantum dot under the influence of solvent additive for improved performance of polymer solar cells

CdTeSe colloidal quantum dot (QD) was used to enhance photon capture in thin film polymer solar cells (TFPSC). The QDs were synthesized in aqueous media from two different precursors. Bulk heterojunction (BHJ) polymer blends composed of P3HT and PCBM were used as an absorber layer of the solar cell to investigate the effect of QDs. Different concentrations of QDs were used in the polymer matrix, which significantly impacted the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the doped devices. More device performance growth was recorded by employing a small amount of solvent additives to disperse the QDs and increase the polymer's crystallinity in the medium. Hence, the addition of 1, Chloronaphthalene (CN) solvent additive in the QD-doped bulk heterojunction film further enhanced the overall performance of the TFPSC due to improved film morphology that has significantly influenced the charge transport processes. Consequently, the PCE of the solar cell increased by nearly 50% compared to the pristine TFPSC due to the effect of solvent additives.     

The growth of CdSe quantum dots on a single wall carbon nanotubes template without organic solvent and surfactant

A conventional synthesis of Cadmium selenide (CdSe) quantum dots (QDs) usually employs toxic organic solvents, and the synthesized CdSe QDs must be modified for dispersion in an aqueous solution. This modification often limits the application of CdSe QDs in biomedical fields. In this study, a simple method was developed to synthesize CdSe QDs on single wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) employing the SWCNTs as a template to prevent the aggregation of the CdSe QDs in an aqueous solution without the addition of any organic reagent.Our newly developed synthetic procedure included the formation of SWCNTs with carboxyl groups (SWCNT-COOHs) followed by mixing these with the precursors of Cd and Se to obtain SWCNT-CdSe QDs. The resulting SWCNT-CdSe QDs were analyzed using spectrophotometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD).Results showed that CdSe nanocrystals with a zinc blend structure could be synthesized on the SWCNT-COOHs. The average crystal size of the synthesized CdSe QDs was approximately 3 nm. The blue-shift of CdSe QDs powerfully emitted light at 550 nm as compared to the bulk CdSe at 730 nm. These CdSe QDs were synthesized in an aqueous environment without using toxic surfactants and are expected to have great potential as bio-labeling contrast agents in the future.     

Multi-scale ordering of self-assembled InAs/GaAs(001) quantum dots

Ordering phenomena related to the self-assembly of InAs quantum dots (QD) grown on GaAs(001) substrates are experimentally investigated on different length scales. On the shortest length-scale studied here, we examine the QD morphology and observe two types of QD shapes, i.e., pyramids and domes. Pyramids are elongated along the [1–10] directions and are bounded by {137} facets, while domes have a multi-facetted shape. By changing the growth rates, we are able to control the size and size homogeneity of freestanding QDs. QDs grown by using low growth rate are characterized by larger sizes and a narrower size distribution. The homogeneity of buried QDs is measured by photoluminescence spectroscopy and can be improved by low temperature overgrowth. The overgrowth induces the formation of nanostructures on the surface. The fabrication of self-assembled nanoholes, which are used as a template to induce short-range positioning of QDs, is also investigated. The growth of closely spaced QDs (QD molecules) containing 2–6 QDs per QD molecule is discussed. Finally, the long-range positioning of self-assembled QDs, which can be achieved by the growth on patterned substrates, is demonstrated. Lateral QD replication observed during growth of three-dimensional QD crystals is reported.     

TiO2/CdS/CdSe quantum dots co-sensitized solar cell with the staggered-gap (type-II) heterojunctions for the enhanced photovoltaic performance

The effect of co-sensitization and ZnS passivation on the photovoltaic performance of CdS quantum dot sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs) were investigated. The deposition of CdS, CdSe quantum dots (QD) and ZnS passivation on TiO₂ photoanode was carried out by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. CdS/CdSe co-sensitization developed two staggered type-II heterojunctions at TiO₂/CdS and CdS/CdSe interfaces and resulted a cascade energy band structure. This suitable band alignment facilitated the double charge transfer mechanism at each heterojunction and transported the electrons easily into the photoanode. The narrow bandgap sensitizers CdS and CdSe significantly improved the potential utilization of solar spectrum with more charge carrier generation. ZnS passivation on QD surface suppressed electrode/electrolyte interfacial charge recombination and facilitated more electron injection from QDs into TiO₂ photoanode. The EDAX elemental mapping results inferred that CdS, CdSe and ZnS have efficiently covered the TiO₂ surface. TiO₂/CdS and CdS/CdSe interfaces and the amorphous nature of ZnS could be verified with HRTEM images. Hence, the co-sensitization and surface passivation played a significant role to enhance the PCE of CdS QDSSC from 1.9% to 4.05%.     

Long-lasting photoluminescence quantum yield of cesium lead halide perovskite-type quantum dots

Cesium lead halide perovskite(CsPbX₃,X=Cl,Br,I)quantum dots(QDs)and their partly Mn²⁺-substituted QDs(CsPb1–xMnxX3)attract considerable attention owing to their unique photoluminescence(PL)efficiencies.The two types of QDs,having different PL decay dynamics,needed to be further investigated in a form of aggregates to understand their solid-state-induced exciton dynamics in conjunction with their behaviors upon degradation to achieve practical applications of those promising QDs.However,thus far,these QDs have not been sufficiently investigated to obtain deep insights related to the long-term stability of their PL properties as aggregated solid-states.Therefore,in this study,we comparatively examined CsPbX₃-and CsPb1–xMnxX₃-type QDs stocked for>50 d under dark ambient conditions by using excitation wavelength-dependent PL quantum yield and time-resolved PL spectroscopy.These investigations were performed with powder samples in addition to solutions to determine the influence of the inter-QD interaction of the aged QD aggregates on their radiative decays.It turns out that the Mn²⁺-substituted QDs exhibited long-lasting PL quantum efficiencies,while the unsubstituted CsPbX₃-type QDs exhibited a drastic reduction of their PL efficiencies.And the obtained PL traces were clearly sensitive to the sample status.This is discussed with the possible interaction depending on the size and distance of the QD aggregates.     

CdSe量子点标记免疫球蛋白及光谱性质研究

以巯基乙酸为稳定剂合成了CdSe量子点,利用X-射线粉末衍射(XRD)和透射电镜(TEM)对量子点结构进行了表征,粒径约为5 nm。以碳二亚胺为缩合剂将量子点与免疫球蛋白共价连接,光谱实验结果表明CdSe量子点与免疫球蛋白有效结合,其荧光发射峰发生了红移,而半峰宽和发射强度没有明显变化。