Sequential coupling transport for the dark current of quantum dots-in-well infrared photodetectors

The dark current characteristics and temperature dependence for quantum dot infrared photodetectors have been investigated by comparing the dark current activation energies between two samples with identical structure of the dots-in-well in nanoscale but different microscale n-i-n environments. A sequential coupling transport mechanism for the dark current between the nanoscale and the microscale processes is proposed. The dark current is determined by the additive mode of two activation energies: E-a,E-micro from the built-in potential in the microscale and E-a,E-nano related to the thermally assisted tunneling in nanoscale. The activation energies E-a,E-micro and E-a,E-nano decrease exponentially and linearly with increasing applied electric field, respectively.

Linear and nonlinear optical properties of the PbSe quantum dots doped germane-silica glass optical fiber

We report development of a new fiber doped with PbSe quantum dots for nonlinear optical applications. PbSe quantum dots related absorption peaks were obtained at 1021, 1093 and 1351 nm. The resonant optical nonlinearity and attenuation at 1500 nm were measured to be 9.4 × 10−16 m2/W and 0.01 dB/m, respectively. The emission around 1540 nm was observed upon near resonant pumping at 1064 nm.

Kondo Effect in Carbon Nanotube Quantum Dots with Spin-Orbit Coupling

Motivated by recent experimental observation of spin-orbit coupling in carbon nanotube quantum dots [F. Kuemmeth , Nature (London) 452, 448 (2008)], we investigate in detail its influence on the Kondo effect. The spin-orbit coupling intrinsically lifts out the fourfold degeneracy of a single electron in the dot, thereby breaking the SU(4) symmetry and splitting the Kondo resonance even at zero magnetic field. When the field is applied, the Kondo resonance further splits and exhibits fine multipeak structures resulting from the interplay of spin-orbit coupling and the Zeeman effect. A microscopic cotunneling process for each peak can be uniquely identified. Finally, a purely orbital Kondo effect in the two-electron regime is also predicted.

Sensitive and Selective Determination of Cu2+ by Electrochemiluminescence of CdTe Quantum Dots

For the first time, we report a sensitive and selective method to detect Cu2+ based on the electrochemiluminescence quenching of CdTe quantum dots (QDs) in aqueous solution. The mercaptosuccinic acid (MSA) protected CdTe QDs were prepared and characterized with UV, fluorescence and ECL. The anodic ECL quenching mechanism was attributed to the fact that MSA capping was removed from the surface of the CdTe QDs and preferentially bound with Cu2+. The displacement of MSA capping layer created imperfections on the CdTe QDs surface, and eventually led to the ECL quenching.

Glutathione-Mediated Release of Functional Plasmid DNA from Positively Charged Quantum Dots

DNA was efficiently bound to water-soluble positively charged CdTe quantum dots (QDs) through complementary electrostatic interaction. These QDs-DNA complexes were disrupted and DNA was released by glutathione (GSH) at intracellular concentrations. Interestingly, there was almost no detectable DNA released by extracellular concentration of GSH. The formation of QDs-DNA complexes and GSH-mediated DNA release from the complexes were confirmed by dye displacement assay, electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) experiments.

Utilizing a CdTe quantum dots-enzyme hybrid system for the determination of both phenolic compounds and hydrogen peroxide

In this paper, we attempt to construct a simple and sensitive detection method for both phenolic compounds and hydrogen peroxide, with the successful combination of the unique property of quantum dots and the specificity of enzymatic reactions. In the presence Of H2O2 and horseradish peroxidase, phenolic compounds can quench quantum dots' photoluminescence efficiently, and the extent of quenching is severalfold to more than 100-fold increase. Quinone intermediates produced from the enzymatic catalyzed oxidation of phenolic compounds were believed to play the main role in the photoluminescence quenching.

Quantum dots-bienzyme hybrid system for the sensitive determination of glucose

In this paper, we attempt to develop a sensitive detection method for glucose with the combination of the unique optical property of quantum dots and the specificity of enzymatic reactions. With glucose and hydroquinone as substrates, benzoquinone that intensively quenches the photoluminescence of quantum dots can be produced via the catalysis of bienzyme (glucose oxidase and horseradish peroxidase) system. A relatively low detection limit of 1.0 x 10(-8) mol/L can be achieved. Two linear ranges from 1.0 x 10(-6) to 1.5 x 10(-4) M and from 1.5 x 10(-4) to 1.0 x 10(-3) M were obtained.

Investigation of some critical parameters of buffer conditions for the development of quantum dots-based optical sensors

The unique surface-sensitive properties make quantum dots (QDs) great potential in the development of sensors for various analytes. However, quantum dots are not only sensitive to a certain analyte, but also to the surrounding conditions. The controlled response to analyte may be the first step in the designing of functional quantum dots sensors. In this study, taking the quenching effect of benzoquinone (BQ) on CdTe QDs as model, several critical parameters of buffer solution conditions with potential effect on the sensors were investigated. The pH value and the concentration of sodium citrate in the buffer solution critically influenced the quenching effects of BQ.

Turn-on fluorescent cyanide sensor based on copper ion-modified CdTe quantum dots

A new fluorescent sensor for the sensitive and selective detection of cyanide (CN-) in aqueous media was developed herein. The sensing approach is based on CN--modulated quenching behavior of Cu2+ toward the photoluminescence (PL) of CdTe quantum dots (QDs). In the presence of CN-, the PL of QDs that have been quenched by Cu2+ was found to be efficiently recovered, which then allows the detection of CN- in a very simple approach. Experimental results showed that the pH of the buffer solution, concentration of copper ions, and size of CdTe QDs all influenced the response of the sensor to CN-. Under the optimal conditions, a good linear relationship between the PL intensity and the concentration of CN- can be obtained in the range of 3.0 x 10(-7) to 1.2 x 10(-5) M, with a detection limit as low as 1.5 x 10(-7) M. In addition, the present fluorescent sensor possesses remarkable selectivity for cyanide over other anions, and negligible influences were observed on the cyanide detection by the coexistence of other anions or biological species (such as albumin and typical blood constituents).

Sensitive and Selective Sensor for Biothiols in the Cell Based on the Recovered Fluorescence of the CdTe Quantum Dots-Hg(II) System

Herein, a sensitive and selective sensor for biothiols based on the recovered fluorescence of the CdTe quantum dots (QDs)-Hg(II) system is reported. Fluorescence of QDs could be quenched greatly by Hg(II). In the presence of biothiols, such as glutathione (GSH), homocysteine (Hcy), and cysteine (Cys), however, Hg(H) preferred to react with them to form the Hg(II)-S bond because of the strong affinity with the thiols of biothiols rather than quenching the fluorescence of the QDs. Thus, the fluorescence of CdTe QDs was recovered. The restoration ability followed the order GSH > Hcy > Cys due to the decreased steric hindrance effect. A good linear relationship was obtained from 0.6 to 20.0 mu mol L-1 for GSH and from 2.0 to 20.0 mu mol L-1 for Cys, respectively. The detection limits of GSH and Cys were 0.1 and 0.6 mu mol L-1, respectively. In addition, the method showed a high selectivity for Cys among the other 19 amino acids. Furthermore, it succeeded in detecting biothiols in the Hela cell.

Anticancer Drug-DNA Interactions Measured Using a Photoinduced Electron-Transfer Mechanism Based on Luminescent Quantum Dots

A sensing system based on the photoinduced electron transfer of quantum dots (QDs) was designed to measure the interaction of anticancer drug and DNA, taking mitoxantrone (MTX) as a model drug. MTX adsorbed on the surface of QDs can quench the photoluminescence (PL) of QDs through the photoinduced electron-transfer process; and then the addition of DNA will bring the restoration of QDs PL intensity, as DNA can bind with MTX and remove it from QDs. Sensitive detection of MTX with the detection limit of 10 nmol L-1 and a linear detection range from 10 nmol L-1 to 4.5 mu mol L-1 was achieved. The dependence of PL intensity on DNA amount was successfully utilized to investigate the interactions between MTX and DNA. Both the binding constants and the sizes of binding site of MTX-DNA interactions were calculated based on the equations deduced for the PL recovery process. The binding constant obtained in our experiment was generally consistent with previous reports. The sensitive and speedy detection of MTX as well as the avoidance of modification or immobilization process made this system suitable and promising in the drug-DNA interaction studies.

Glutathione-capped CdTe quantum dots for the sensitive detection of glucose

A simple and sensitive assay system for glucose based on the glutathione (GSH)-capped CdTe quantum dots (QDs) was developed. GSH-capped CdTe QDs exhibit higher sensitivity to H2O2 produced from the glucose oxidase catalyzed oxidation Of glucose, and are also more biocompatible than other thiols-capped QDs. Based on the quenching of H2O2 on GSH-capped QDs, glucose can be detected. The detection conditions containing reaction time, the concentration of glucose oxidase and the sizes of QDs were optimized and the detection limits for glucose was determined to be 0.1 mu M; two detection ranges of glucose from 1.0 mu M to 0.5 mM and from 1.0 mM to 20 mM, respectively Were obtained. The detection limit was almost a 1000 times lower than other QDs-based optical glucose sensing systems. The developed glucose detection system was simple and facile with no need of complicated enzyme immobilization and modification of QDs.

Near infrared light-emitting diodes based on composites of near infrared dye, CdSe/CdS quantum dots and polymer

Near infrared (NIR) light emitting diodes employing composites of an IR fluorescent dye, CdSe/CdScore/shell semiconductor quantum dots and poly( N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) have been demonstrated. The device, with a configuration of indium-tin-oxide (ITO)//PEDOT:PSS//PVK:NIR Dye:CdSe/CdS//Al, had a turn-on voltage of 7 V, emitted the NIR light with a maximum at 890 nm and the irradiance intensity of 96 mu W. The electroluminescence efficiency of 0.02% was achieved at a current density of 13 mA cm(-2).