Effect of nanoparticle dimensionality on fluorescence resonance energy transfer in nanoparticle-dye conjugated systems

Quantum Dot-DNA FRET Conjugates for Direct Analysis of Methylphosphonic Acid in Complex Media

Rapid detection of nerve agents from complex matrices with minimal sample preparation is essential due to their high toxicity and bioavailability. In this work, quantum dots (QDs) were functionalized with oligonucleotide aptamers that specifically targeted a nerve agent metabolite, methylphosphonic acid (MePA). These QD-DNA bioconjugates were covalently linked to quencher molecules to form Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) donor-acceptor pairs that quantitatively measure the presence of MePA. Using the FRET biosensor, the MePA limit of detection was 743 nM in artificial urine. A decrease in the QD lifetime was measured upon DNA binding and was recovered with MePA. The biosensor's flexible design makes it a strong candidate for the rapid detection of chemical and biological agents for deployable, in-field detectors.

Luminescent [CO2@Ag20(SAdm)10(CF3COO)10(DMA)2] nanocluster: synthetic strategy and its implication towards white light emission

Owing to the quantized size and associated discrete energy levels, atomically precise silver nanoclusters (Ag NCs) hold great potential for designing functional luminescent materials. However, the thermally activated non-radiative transition of Ag(I)-based NCs has faded the opportunities. To acquire the structurally rigid architecture of cluster nodes for constraining such transitions, a new synthetic approach is unveiled here that utilizes a neutral template as a cluster-directing agent to assemble twenty Ag(I) atoms that ensure the maximum number of surface-protecting ligand attachment possibilities in a particular solvent medium. The solvent polarity triggers the precise structural design to circumvent the over-reliance of the templates, which results in the formation of [CO₂@Ag₂₀(SAdm)₁₀(CF₃COO)₁₀(DMA)₂] NC (where SAdm = 1-adamantanethiolate and DMA = N,N-dimethylacetamide) exhibiting an unprecedented room-temperature photoluminescence emission. The high quantum yield of the generated blue emission ensures its candidature as an ideal donor for artificial light-harvesting system design, and it is utilized with the two-step sequential energy transfer process, which finally results in the generation of ideal white light. For implementing perfect white light emission, the required chromophores in the green and red emission regions were chosen based on their effective spectral overlap with the donor components. Due to their favorable energy-level distribution, excited state energy transfers occurred from the NC to β-carotene at the initial step, then from the conjugate of the NC and β-carotene to another chromophore, Nile Blue, at the second step via a sequential Förster resonance energy transfer pathway.

Conjugation of gold nanoparticles with multidentate surfactants for enhanced stability and biological properties

This work originated from the need to functionalize surfactant-coated inorganic nanoparticles for biomedical applications, a process that is limited by excess unbound surfactant. These limitations are connected to the bioconjugation of targeting molecules that are often in equilibrium between the free aliquot in solution and that which binds the surface of the nanoparticles. The excess in solution can play a role in the biocompatability in vitro and in vivo of the final nanoparticles stock. For this purpose, we tested the ability of common surfactants - monothiolated polyethylene glycol and amphiphilic polymers - to colloidally stabilize nanoparticles as excess surfactant is removed and compared them to newly appearing multidentate surfactants endowed with high avidity for inorganic nanoparticles. Our results showed that monothiolated polyethylene glycol or amphiphilic polymers have an insufficient affinity to the nanoparticles and as the excess surfactant is removed the colloidal stability is lost, while multidentate high-avidity surfactants excel in the same regard, possibly allowing improvement in an array of nanoparticle applications, especially in those stated.

Fluorescence quenching properties of Au-Ag-Pt tri-metallic nanorod: The application in specific detection of alpha-fetoprotein

In this paper, the fluorescence quenching characteristics of Au-Ag-Pt core-shell nanorods have been studied.Due to nonradiative energy transformation, the fluorescence emission intensity of bovine serum albumin (BSA) could be greatly quenched.It has been found that the quenching effect of Au-Ag-Pt core-shell nanorods could be optimized by adjusting the concentration of chloroplatinic acid.Based on the fluorescence quenching properties of Au-Ag-Pt core-shell nanorods, Au-Ag-Pt trimetal fluorescence quenching nanoprobe has been prepared, and the specificity of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) detection has also been realized.In order to guarantee the sensing specificity, the surface modification including carboxyl replacement, carboxyl activation and antibody connection have been performed on Au-Ag-Pt core-shell nanorods.By using the principle of specific combination of antigen and antibody, the specific detection of AFP has been realized with a lower detection limit of 4.0 pg/mL, and the linear detection range spans a scope from 0.03 to 0.5 ng/mL.Interference experiments and the actual samples detection results show that the Au-Ag-Pt trimetal core-shell nanorod probes have good anti-interference and repeatability.

Atomically Precise Silver Nanocluster for Artificial Light-Harvesting System Through Supramolecular Functionalization

Designing an artificial light-harvesting system (LHS) with high energy transfer efficiency has been a challenging task. Herein, we report an atom-precise silver nanocluster (Ag NC) as a unique platform to fabricate the artificial LHS. A facile one-pot synthesis of [Cl@Ag₁₆S(S-Adm)₈(CF₃COO)₅(DMF)₃(H₂O)₂]·DMF (Ag₁₆) NC by using a bulky adamantanethiolate ligand is portrayed here which, in turn, alleviates the issues related to the smaller NC core designed from a highly steric environment. The surface molecular motion of this NC extends the non-radiative relaxation rate which is strategically restricted by a recognition site-specific supramolecular adduct with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) that results in the generation of a blue emission. This emission property is further controlled by the number of attached β-CD which eventually imposes more rigidity. The higher emission quantum yield and the larger emission lifetime relative to the lesser numbered β-CD conjugation signify Ag₁₆ ∩ β-CD₂ as a good LHS donor component. In the presence of an organic dye (β-carotene) as an energy acceptor, an LHS is fabricated here via the Förster resonance energy transfer pathway. The opposite charges on the surfaces and the matched electronic energy distribution result in a 93% energy transfer efficiency with a great antenna effect from the UV-to-visible region. Finally, the harvested energy is utilized successfully for efficient photocurrent generation with much-enhanced yields compared to the individual components. This fundamental investigation into highly-efficient energy transfer through atom-precise NC-based systems will inspire additional opportunities for designing new LHSs in the near future.

A β-cyclodextrin functionalized atomically precise Ag₁₆ based artificial light-harvesting system is fabricated with 93% energy transfer efficiency from the blue to the green emission region of the acceptor β-carotene molecule.

Ensemble-level energy transfer measurements can reveal the spatial distribution of defect sites in semiconductor nanocrystals

Energy transfer measurements are widely used to measure the distance between donors and acceptors in heterogeneous environments. In nanocrystal (NC)-molecule donor-acceptor systems, NC defects can participate in electronic energy transfer (EnT) in a defect-mediated EnT process. Here, we explore whether ensemble-level spectroscopy measurements can quantify the distance between the donor defect sites in the NC and acceptor molecules. We studied defect-mediated EnT between ZnO NCs and Alexa Fluor 555 (A555) because EnT occurs via emissive NC defect sites, such as oxygen vacancies. We synthesized a size series of ZnO NCs and characterized their radii, concentration, photoluminescence (PL) lifetime, and defect PL quantum yield using a combination of transmission electron microscopy, elemental analysis, and time-resolved PL spectroscopy. The ZnO defect PL decay kinetics were analyzed using the stochastic binding (SB) and restricted geometry (RG) models. Both models assume the Förster point dipole approximation, but the RG model considers the geometry of the NC donor in the presence of multiple acceptors. The RG model revealed that the emissive defect sites are separated, on average, 0.5 nm from the A555 acceptor molecules. That is, the emissive defect sites are predominantly located at or near the surface of large NCs. The SB model revealed the average number of A555 molecules per NC and the equilibrium binding constant but did not provide meaningful information regarding the defect-acceptor distance. We conclude that ensemble-level EnT measurements can reveal the spatial distribution of defect sites in NCs without the need for interrogating the sample with a microscope.

Engineering and use of proteinoid polymers and nanocapsules containing agrochemicals

To address global challenges such as population growth and climate change, introduction of new technologies and innovations in agriculture are paramount. Polymer-based formulations of agrochemicals have received much attention in recent years, and there is strong motivation to develop agrochemicals that are not harmful to the environment. Proteinoid polymers are produced by thermal step-growth polymerization of natural and unnatural amino acids. Under suitable gentle conditions, the proteinoid polymers may self-assemble to form nano-sized hollow proteinoid nanoparticles (NPs) of a relatively narrow size distribution. Agrochemical molecules may be encapsulated within these hollow proteinoid NPs, integrated in the crude proteinoid shell, or bound covalently/physically to the NP surface. In the present manuscript we prepared and characterized four model proteinoid polymers and NPs: P(KEf), P(KF), P(EWH-PLLA) and P(KWH-PLLA), where Ef denotes the unnatural herbicidal amino acid glufosinate. The NPs were fluorescently labeled and loaded with agrochemicals such as the plant hormone auxin. In addition, the NP surface was hydrophobized by covalent conjugation of dodecyl aldehyde via its surface primary amine groups. Following treatment of the plants with the different fluorescent-labeled NPs, fluorescent microscopic techniques enabled to localize the NPs and observe the accumulation in the plant's vascular system. Next, using genetically modified plants, which express fluorescent protein and are responsive to the level of auxin, we demonstrated the possibility to deliver encapsulated agrochemicals into cells. We also illustrated that the proteinoid NPs are non-toxic to human umbilical vein endothelial cells, and apart from P(KEf) also to lettuce plants.

Bioluminescence-Based Energy Transfer Using Semiconductor Quantum Dots as Acceptors

Bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) is the non-radiative transfer of energy from a bioluminescent protein donor to a fluorophore acceptor. It shares all the formalism of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) but differs in one key aspect: that the excited donor here is produced by biochemical means and not by an external illumination. Often the choice of BRET source is the bioluminescent protein Renilla luciferase, which catalyzes the oxidation of a substrate, typically coelenterazine, producing an oxidized product in its electronic excited state that, in turn, couples with a proximal fluorophore resulting in a fluorescence emission from the acceptor. The acceptors pertinent to this discussion are semiconductor quantum dots (QDs), which offer some unrivalled photophysical properties. Amongst other advantages, the QD's large Stokes shift is particularly advantageous as it allows easy and accurate deconstruction of acceptor signal, which is difficult to attain using organic dyes or fluorescent proteins. QD-BRET systems are gaining popularity in non-invasive bioimaging and as probes for biosensing as they don't require external optical illumination, which dramatically improves the signal-to-noise ratio by avoiding background auto-fluorescence. Despite the additional advantages such systems offer, there are challenges lying ahead that need to be addressed before they are utilized for translational types of research.

Photon induced quantum yield regeneration of cap-exchanged CdSe/CdS quantum rods for ratiometric biosensing and cellular imaging

Full water-dispersion of commercial hydrophobic CdSe/CdS core/shell quantum rods (QRs) was achieved by cap-exchange using a dihydrolipoic acid zwitterion ligand at a low ligand:QR molar ratio (LQMR) of 1000. However, this process almost completely quenched the QR fluorescence, greatly limiting its potential in downstream fluorescence based applications. Fortunately, we found that the QR fluorescence could be recovered by exposure to near ultra-violet to blue light radiation (e.g. 300-450 nm). These "reborn" QRs were found to be compact, bright, and stable, and were resistant to non-specific adsorption, which make them powerful fluorescent probes in broad biomedical applications. We demonstrated their potential in two model applications: first, the QRs were conjugated with His₈-tagged small antibody mimetic proteins (also known as Affimers) for the sensitive detection of target proteins via a Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) readout strategy and second, the QR surface was functionalized with biotins for targeted imaging of cancer cells.

Resonant Energy Transfer can Trigger Multiexciton Recombination in Dense Quantum Dot Ensembles

Core/shell quantum dots/quantum rods are nanocrystals with typical application scenarios as ensembles. Resonance energy transfer is a possible process between adjacent nanocrystals. Highly excited nanocrystals can also relax energy by multiexciton recombination, competing against the energy transfer. The two processes have different dependencies and can be convolved, resulting in collective properties different from the superposition of the individual nanocrystals. A platform to study the interplay of energy transfer and multiexciton recombination is presented. CdSe/CdS quantum dot/quantum rods encapsulated in amphiphilic micelles with an interparticle distance control by spacer ligands are used for time-resolved photoluminescence and transient absorption experiments. At exciton populations around one, the ensemble starts to be in a state where energy transfer can trigger multiexciton Auger recombination, altering the collective dynamics.

Ultrafast Dynamics of Charge Transfer and Photochemical Reactions in Solar Energy Conversion

For decades, ultrafast time-resolved spectroscopy has found its way into an increasing number of applications. It has become a vital technique to investigate energy conversion processes and charge transfer dynamics in optoelectronic systems such as solar cells and solar-driven photocatalytic applications. The understanding of charge transfer and photochemical reactions can help optimize and improve the performance of relevant devices with solar energy conversion processes. Here, the fundamental principles of photochemical and photophysical processes in photoinduced reactions, in which the fundamental charge carrier dynamic processes include interfacial electron transfer, singlet excitons, triplet excitons, excitons fission, and recombination, are reviewed. Transient absorption (TA) spectroscopy techniques provide a good understanding of the energy/electron transfer processes. These processes, including excited state generation and interfacial energy/electron transfer, are dominate constituents of solar energy conversion applications, for example, dye-sensitized solar cells and photocatalysis. An outlook for intrinsic electron/energy transfer dynamics via TA spectroscopic characterization is provided, establishing a foundation for the rational design of solar energy conversion devices.

Self-Assembly of Rod-Like Bionanoparticles at Interfaces and in Solution

Rod-like nanoparticles show unique self-assembly behavior benefiting from their anisotropic properties. As a classic example of a one-dimensional (1D) rod-like plant virus, tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) can either assemble in a head-to-tail manner to form 1D long fibers, or align parallel to form crystal-like structures at interfaces or in solution. Here, the self-assembly behaviors of TMV at oil-water or air-liquid interfaces are summarized. In addition, the self-assembly of TMV with polymers in solution is also discussed in this chapter.

Oriented Built-in Electric Field Introduced by Surface Gradient Diffusion Doping for Enhanced Photocatalytic H2 Evolution in CdS Nanorods

Element doping has been extensively attempted to develop visible-light-driven photocatalysts, which introduces impurity levels and enhances light absorption. However, the dopants can also become recombination centers for photogenerated electrons and holes. To address the recombination challenge, we report a gradient phosphorus-doped CdS (CdS-P) homojunction nanostructure, creating an oriented built-in electric-field for efficient extraction of carriers from inside to surface of the photocatalyst. The apparent quantum efficiency (AQY) based on the cocatalyst-free photocatalyst is up to 8.2% at 420 nm while the H₂ evolution rate boosts to 194.3 μmol·h^-1·mg^-1, which is 58.3 times higher than that of pristine CdS. This concept of oriented built-in electric field introduced by surface gradient diffusion doping should provide a new approach to design other types of semiconductor photocatalysts for efficient solar-to-chemical conversion.

Morphological and chemical transformations of single silica-coated CdSe/CdS nanorods upon fs-laser excitation

Radiation-induced modifications of nanostructures are of fundamental interest and constitute a viable out-of-equilibrium approach to the development of novel nanomaterials. Herein, we investigated the structural transformation of silica-coated CdSe/CdS nanorods (NRs) under femtosecond (fs) illumination. By comparing the same nanorods before and after illumination with different fluences we found that the silica-shell did not only enhance the stability of the NRs but that the confinement of the NRs also led to novel morphological and chemical transformations. Whereas uncoated CdSe/CdS nanorods were found to sublimate under such excitations the silica-coated nanorods broke into fragments which deformed towards a more spherical shape. Furthermore, CdS decomposed which led to the formation of metallic Cd, confirmed by high-resolution electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), whereby an epitaxial interface with the remaining CdS lattice was formed. Under electron beam exposure similar transformations were found to take place which we followed in situ.

Shell thickness matters! Energy transfer and rectification study of Au/ZnO core/shell nanoparticles

In the present study we report the influence of shell thickness on fluorescence resonance energy transfer between Au/ZnO core-shell nanoparticles and Rhodamine 6G dye by steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy and rectification behaviours. Au/ZnO core-shell nanoparticles with different shell thickness were synthesized in aqueous solution by chemically depositing zinc oxide on gold nanoparticles surface. A pronounced effect on the photoluminescence (PL) intensity and shortening of the decay time of the dye in presence of Au/ZnO core-shell nanoparticles is observed. The calculated energy transfer efficiencies from dye to Au/ZnO are 62.5%, 79.2%, 53.6% and 46.7% for 1.5nm, 3nm, 5nm and 8nm thickness of shell, respectively. Using FRET process, the calculated distances (r) are 117.8, 113.2Å 129.9Å and 136.7Å for 1.5nm, 3nm, 5nm and 8nm thick Au/ZnO core-shell nanoparticles, respectively. The distances (d) between the donor and acceptor are 71.0, 57.8, 76.2 and 81.6Å for 1.5nm, 3nm, 5nm and 8nm thick core-shell Au/ZnO nanoparticles, respectively, using the efficiency of surface energy transfer (SET). The current-voltage (I-V) curve of hybrid Au/ZnO clearly exhibits a rectifying nature and represents the n-type Schottky diode characteristics with a typical turn-on voltage of between 0.6 and 1.3V. It was found that the rectifying ratio increases from 20 to 90 with decreasing the thickness of the shell from 5nm to 3nm and with shell thickness of 8nm, electrical transport through the core-shell is similar to what is observed with pure ZnO samples nanoparticles. The results indicated that the Au/ZnO core-shell nanoparticles with an average shell thickness of 3nm exhibited the maximum energy transfer efficiencies (79.2%) and rectification (rectifying ratio 90).

Energy Transfer Sensitization of Luminescent Gold Nanoclusters: More than Just the Classical Förster Mechanism

Luminescent gold nanocrystals (AuNCs) are a recently-developed material with potential optic, electronic and biological applications. They also demonstrate energy transfer (ET) acceptor/sensitization properties which have been ascribed to Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and, to a lesser extent, nanosurface energy transfer (NSET). Here, we investigate AuNC acceptor interactions with three structurally/functionally-distinct donor classes including organic dyes, metal chelates and semiconductor quantum dots (QDs). Donor quenching was observed for every donor-acceptor pair although AuNC sensitization was only observed from metal-chelates and QDs. FRET theory dramatically underestimated the observed energy transfer while NSET-based damping models provided better fits but could not reproduce the experimental data. We consider additional factors including AuNC magnetic dipoles, density of excited-states, dephasing time, and enhanced intersystem crossing that can also influence ET. Cumulatively, data suggests that AuNC sensitization is not by classical FRET or NSET and we provide a simplified distance-independent ET model to fit such experimental data.

Photoreponsive Hybrid Nanoparticles with Inherent FRET Activity

The photoactivated inherent fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) properties of a hard-and-soft hybrid nanosystem comprising poly(1'-(2-methacryloxyethyl)-3',3'-dimethyl-6-nitrospiro-(2H-1-benzopyran-2,2'-indoline))-co-poly[2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PSPMA-co-PDMAEMA) random copolymer brushes on silica nanoparticles are described. This unique FRET process is switched on by the simultaneous generation of isomer X and merocyanine (MC), which are bipolar in nature and comprise donor-acceptor dyads, from a single spiropyran (SP) chromophore upon UV irradiation. These X-MC species exhibit sufficient lifetimes to allow the read-out of the FRET process. The phenomenon is gradually switched off because of the thermal relaxation of the bipolar chromophores. This inherent property of the nanoemitters is employed in the development of biosensors of high specificity by monitoring variations in the FRET efficiency and lifetime of the hybrids in the presence of biological substances. More specifically, bovine serum albumin (BSA) augments the formation of MC species and retards the MC photobleaching process, leading to the enhancement of the FRET efficiency and lifetime, respectively. On the other hand, amino acid l-histidine further retards the MC thermal relaxation and prolongs the FRET process. We envisage that this platform opens new perspectives in the development of novel, optical nanosensors for applications in various fields including healthcare products and environmental monitoring.

Exciton size and quantum transport in nanoplatelets

Two-dimensional nanoplatelets (NPLs) are an exciting class of materials with promising optical and energy transport properties. The possibility of efficient energy transport between nanoplatelets raises questions regarding the nature of energy transfer in these thin, laterally extended systems. A challenge in understanding exciton transport is the uncertainty regarding the size of the exciton. Depending on the material and defects in the nanoplatelet, an exciton could plausibly extend over an entire plate or localize to a small region. The variation in possible exciton sizes raises the question how exciton size impacts the efficiency of transport between nanoplatelet structures. Here, we explore this issue using a quantum master equation approach. This method goes beyond the assumptions of Förster theory to allow for quantum mechanical effects that could increase energy transfer efficiency. The model is extremely flexible in describing different systems, allowing us to test the effect of varying the spatial extent of the exciton. We first discuss qualitative aspects of the relationship between exciton size and transport and then conduct simulations of exciton transport between NPLs for a range of exciton sizes and environmental conditions. Our results reveal that exciton size has a strong effect on energy transfer efficiency and suggest that manipulation of exciton size may be useful in designing NPLs for energy transport.

Probing Bioluminescence Resonance Energy Transfer in Quantum Rod-Luciferase Nanoconjugates

We describe the necessary design criteria to create highly efficient energy transfer conjugates containing luciferase enzymes derived from Photinus pyralis (Ppy) and semiconductor quantum rods (QRs) with rod-in-rod (r/r) microstructure. By fine-tuning the synthetic conditions, CdSe/CdS r/r-QRs were prepared with two different emission colors and three different aspect ratios (l/w) each. These were hybridized with blue, green, and red emitting Ppy, leading to a number of new BRET nanoconjugates. Measurements of the emission BRET ratio (BR) indicate that the resulting energy transfer is highly dependent on QR energy accepting properties, which include absorption, quantum yield, and optical anisotropy, as well as its morphological and topological properties, such as aspect ratio and defect concentration. The highest BR was found using r/r-QRs with lower l/w that were conjugated with red Ppy, which may be activating one of the anisotropic CdSe core energy levels. The role QR surface defects play on Ppy binding, and energy transfer was studied by growth of gold nanoparticles at the defects, which indicated that each QR set has different sites. The Ppy binding at those sites is suggested by the observed BRET red-shift as a function of Ppy-to-QR loading (L), where the lowest L results in highest efficiency and furthest shift.

PEG-Phospholipids Coated Quantum Rods as Amplifiers of the Photosensitization Process by FRET

Singlet oxygen ((1)O2) generated upon photostimulation of photosensitizer molecules is a highly reactive specie which is utilized in photodynamic therapy. Recent studies have shown that semiconductor nanoparticles can be used as donors in fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) process to excite attached photosensitizer molecules. In these studies, their unique properties, such as low nanoscale size, long-term photostability, wide broad absorbance band, large absorption cross section, and narrow and tunable emission bands were used to provide advantages over the traditional methods to produce singlet oxygen. Previous studies that achieved this goal, however, showed some limitations, such as low FRET efficiency, poor colloidal stability, nonspecific interactions, and/or complex preparation procedure. In this work, we developed and characterized a novel system of semiconductor quantum rods (QRs) and the photosensitizer meso-tetra(hydroxyphenyl) chlorin (mTHPC), as a model system that produces singlet oxygen without these limitations. A simple two-step preparation method is shown; Hydrophobic CdSe/CdS QRs are solubilized in aqueous solutions by encapsulation with lecithin and PEGylated phospholipid (PEG-PL) of two lipid lengths: PEG350 or PEG2000. Then, the hydrophobic photosensitizer mTHPC, was intercalated into the new amphiphilic PEG-PL coating of the QR, providing a strong attachment to the nanoparticle without covalent linkage. These PEGylated QR (eQR)-mTHPC nanocomposites show efficient FRET processes upon light stimulation of the QR component which results in efficient production of singlet oxygen. The results demonstrate the potential for future use of this concept in photodynamic therapy schemes.

Nanoscopic optical rulers beyond the FRET distance limit: fundamentals and applications

In the last few decades, Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) based spectroscopy rulers have served as a key tool for the understanding of chemical and biochemical processes, even at the single molecule level. Since the FRET process originates from dipole-dipole interactions, the length scale of a FRET ruler is limited to a maximum of 10 nm. Recently, scientists have reported a nanomaterial based long-range optical ruler, where one can overcome the FRET optical ruler distance dependence limit, and which can be very useful for monitoring biological processes that occur across a greater distance than the 10 nm scale. Advancement of nanoscopic long range optical rulers in the last ten years indicate that, in addition to their long-range capability, their brightness, long lifetime, lack of blinking, and chemical stability make nanoparticle based rulers a good choice for long range optical probes. The current review discusses the basic concepts and unique light-focusing properties of plasmonic nanoparticles which are useful in the development of long range one dimensional to three dimensional optical rulers. In addition, to provide the readers with an overview of the exciting opportunities within this field, this review discusses the applications of long range rulers for monitoring biological and chemical processes. At the end, we conclude by speculating on the role of long range optical rulers in future scientific research and discuss possible problems, outlooks and future needs in the use of optical rulers for technological applications.

Picosecond energy transfer and multiexciton transfer outpaces Auger recombination in binary CdSe nanoplatelet solids

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) enables photosynthetic light harvesting, wavelength downconversion in light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and optical biosensing schemes. The rate and efficiency of this donor to acceptor transfer of excitation between chromophores dictates the utility of FRET and can unlock new device operation motifs including quantum-funnel solar cells, non-contact chromophore pumping from a proximal LED, and markedly reduced gain thresholds. However, the fastest reported FRET time constants involving spherical quantum dots (0.12-1 ns; refs 7-9) do not outpace biexciton Auger recombination (0.01-0.1 ns; ref. 10), which impedes multiexciton-driven applications including electrically pumped lasers and carrier-multiplication-enhanced photovoltaics. Few-monolayer-thick semiconductor nanoplatelets (NPLs) with tens-of-nanometre lateral dimensions exhibit intense optical transitions and hundreds-of-picosecond Auger recombination, but heretofore lack FRET characterizations. We examine binary CdSe NPL solids and show that interplate FRET (∼6-23 ps, presumably for co-facial arrangements) can occur 15-50 times faster than Auger recombination and demonstrate multiexcitonic FRET, making such materials ideal candidates for advanced technologies.

Functionalization of quantum rods with oligonucleotides for programmable assembly with DNA origami

The DNA-mediated self-assembly of CdSe/CdS quantum rods (QRs) onto DNA origami is described. Two QR types with unique optical emission and high polarization were synthesized, and then functionalized with oligonucleotides (ssDNA) using a novel protection-deprotection approach, which harnessed ssDNA's tailorable rigidity and denaturation temperature to increase DNA coverage by reducing non-specific coordination and wrapping. The QR assembly was programmable, and occurred at two different assembly zones that had capture strands in parallel alignment. QRs with different optical properties were assembled, opening up future studies on orientation dependent QR FRET. The QR-origami conjugates could be purified via gel electrophoresis and sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation. Assembly yields, QR stoichiometry and orientation, as well as energy transfer implications were studied in light of QR distances, origami flexibility, and conditions.

Distance dependence of the energy transfer rate from a single semiconductor nanostructure to graphene

The near-field Coulomb interaction between a nanoemitter and a graphene monolayer results in strong Förster-type resonant energy transfer and subsequent fluorescence quenching. Here, we investigate the distance dependence of the energy transfer rate from individual, (i) zero-dimensional CdSe/CdS nanocrystals and (ii) two-dimensional CdSe/CdS/ZnS nanoplatelets to a graphene monolayer. For increasing distances d, the energy transfer rate from individual nanocrystals to graphene decays as 1/d(4). In contrast, the distance dependence of the energy transfer rate from a two-dimensional nanoplatelet to graphene deviates from a simple power law but is well described by a theoretical model, which considers a thermal distribution of free excitons in a two-dimensional quantum well. Our results show that accurate distance measurements can be performed at the single particle level using graphene-based molecular rulers and that energy transfer allows probing dimensionality effects at the nanoscale.

Facilely controlling the Förster energy transfer efficiency of dendron encapsulated conjugated organic molecular wire–CdSe quantum dot nanostructures

On Den-OPE–CdSe nanostructures, as the size of the dendrimer increases, the energy transfer efficiency from Den-OPEs to CdSe QDs enhances.

Tailoring of optical properties of fluorescein using green synthesized gold nanoparticles

The anisotropy in plasmonic field makes star shaped particles as an optical ruler that can probe larger distances as compared to spherical gold nanoparticles, for which dipoles are parallel to the surface act as more efficient quencher for fluorescein dye.

Battling absorptive losses by plasmon–exciton coupling in multimeric nanostructures

This study presents a novel approach dealing with absorptive losses in plasmonic metamaterials, capitalizing on field enhancement effect in multimeric nanostructures.

Observation of multiple, identical binding sites in the exchange of carboxylic acid ligands with CdS nanocrystals

We study ligand exchange between the carboxylic acid group and 5.0 nm oleic-acid capped CdS nanocrystals (NCs) using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). This is the first measurement of the initial binding events between cadmium chalcogenide NCs and carboxylic acid groups. The binding behavior can be described as an interaction between a ligand with single binding group and a substrate with multiple, identical binding sites. Assuming Poissonian binding statistics, our model fits both steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence (SSPL and TRPL, respectively) data well. A modified Langmuir isotherm reveals that a CdS nanoparticle has an average of 3.0 new carboxylic acid ligands and binding constant, Ka, of 3.4 × 10(5) M(-1).

Revolutionizing the FRET-based light emission in core-shell nanostructures via comprehensive activity of surface plasmons

We demonstrate the surface-plasmon-induced enhancement of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET)using a model multilayer core-shell nanostructure consisting of an Au core and surrounding FRET pairs, i.e., CdSe quantum dot donors and S101 dye acceptors. The multilayer configuration was demonstrated to exhibit synergistic effects of surface plasmon energy transfer from the metal to the CdSe and plasmon-enhanced FRET from the quantum dots to the dye. With precise control over the distance between the components in the nanostructure, significant improvement in the emission of CdSe was achieved by combined resonance energy transfer and near-field enhancement by the metal, as well as subsequent improvement in the emission of dye induced by the enhanced emission of CdSe. Consequently, the Förster radius was increased to 7.92 nm and the FRET efficiency was improved to 86.57% in the tailored plasmonic FRET nanostructure compared to the conventional FRET system (22.46%) without plasmonic metals.

Dimensionality of nanoscale TiO2 determines the mechanism of photoinduced electron injection from a CdSe nanoparticle

Assumptions about electron transfer (ET) mechanisms guide design of catalytic, photovoltaic, and electronic systems. We demonstrate that the mechanism of ET from a CdSe quantum dot (QD) into nanoscale TiO2 depends on TiO2 dimensionality. The injection into a TiO2 QD is adiabatic due to strong donor-acceptor coupling, arising from unsaturated chemical bonds on the QD surface, and low density of acceptor states. In contrast, the injection into a TiO2 nanobelt (NB) is nonadiabatic, because the state density is high, the donor-acceptor coupling is weak, and multiple phonons accommodate changes in the electronic energy. The CdSe adsorbant breaks symmetry of delocalized TiO2 NB states, relaxing coupling selection rules, and generating more ET channels. Both mechanisms can give efficient ultrafast injection. However, the dependence on system properties is very different for the two mechanisms, demonstrating that the fundamental principles leading to efficient charge separation depend strongly on the type of nanoscale material.

Light harvesting of CdSe/CdS quantum dots coated with β-cyclodextrin based host–guest species through resonant energy transfer from the guests

Nano-hybrids based on red emitting QDs covered by β-cyclodextrin hosting a green emitting nitrobenzoxadiazole derivative show emission harvested by the host–guest organic system.

Generating tunable white light by resonance energy transfer in transparent dye-conjugated metal oxide nanocrystals

We report the design and properties of hybrid white-light-emitting nanophosphors obtained by electronic coupling of defect states in colloidal Ga2O3 nanocrystals emitting in blue-green with selected organic molecules emitting in orange-red. Coupling between the two components is enabled by the nanocrystal's size-dependent resonance energy transfer, allowing the photoluminescence chromaticity to be precisely tuned by changing the nanocrystal size and selecting the complementary organic dye molecule. Using this approach, we demonstrate the generation of pure white light with quantum yield of ~30%, color rendering index up to 95, and color temperature of 5500 K. These results provide a guideline for the design of a new class of hybrid white-light-emitting nanophosphors and other multifunctional nanostructures based on transparent metal oxides.

Novel multistep BRET-FRET energy transfer using nanoconjugates of firefly proteins, quantum dots, and red fluorescent proteins

Sequential bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) from firefly luciferase to red fluorescent proteins using quantum dot or rod acceptor/donor linkers is described. The effect of morphology and tuned optical properties on the efficiency of this unique BRET-FRET system was evaluated.

Excitation Energy Dependence of the Photoluminescence Quantum Yields of Core and Core/Shell Quantum Dots

The photoluminescence (PL) intensity of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) is routinely monitored to track the chemical and physical properties within a sample or device incorporating the QDs. A dependence of the PL quantum yields (QYs) on the excitation energy could lead to erroneous conclusions but is commonly not considered. We summarize previous evidence and present results from two methodologies that confirm the possibility of a dependence of the PL QYs on the excitation energy. The data presented indicate that PL QYs of CdSe and CdSe/ZnS QDs suspended in toluene are highest for excitation just above the band gap, Eg, of each. The PL QYs decrease with increasing excitation energies up to 1 eV above Eg. The PL intensity decay profiles recorded for these samples at varying emission and excitation energies indicate that the changes in the PL QYs result from the nonradiative relaxation pathways sampled as the charge carriers relax down to the band edge.

Color control in coaxial two-luminophore nanowires

We report a general and simple approach to take control of the color of light-emitting two-luminophore hybrid nanowires (NWs). Our strategy is based on the spatial control at the nanoscale (coaxial geometry) and the spectral selection of the two kinds of luminophores in order to restrict complex charge and energy transfers. Thus, it is possible to control the color of the photoluminescence (PL) as an interpolation of the CIE (Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage) coordinates of each luminophore. For this purpose, we selected a green-emitting semiconducting polymer and a red-emitting hexanuclear metal cluster compound, (n-Bu4N)2Mo6Br8F6, dispersed in a poly(methyl-methacrylate) (PMMA) matrix. The great potential and the versatility of this strategy have been demonstrated for two configurations. First, a yellow PL with a continuous change along the nanowire has been evidenced when the proportion of the PPV shell versus the nanocomposite core, that is, the green/red volumic ratio, progressively shifts from 1:2 to 1:5. Second, an extremely abrupt change in the PL color with red-green-yellow segments has been achieved. A simple model corroborates the effectiveness of this strategy. PL excitation and time-resolved experiments also confirm that no significant charge and energy transfers are involved. The two-luminophore hybrid nanowires may find widespread nanophotonic applications in multicolor emitting sources, lasers and chemical and biological sensors.

Fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based biosensors: visualizing cellular dynamics and bioenergetics

Förster (or fluorescence) resonance energy transfer (FRET) is a process involving the radiation-less transfer of energy from a "donor" fluorophore to an "acceptor" fluorophore. FRET technology enables the quantitative analysis of molecular dynamics in biophysics and in molecular biology, such as the monitoring of protein-protein interactions, protein-DNA interactions, and protein conformational changes. FRET-based biosensors have been utilized to monitor cellular dynamics not only in heterogeneous cellular populations, but also at the single-cell level in real time. Lately, applications of FRET-based biosensors range from basic biological to biomedical disciplines. Despite the diverse applications of FRET, FRET-based sensors still face many challenges. There is an increasing need for higher fluorescence resolution and improved specificity of FRET biosensors. Additionally, as more FRET-based technologies extend to medical diagnostics, the affordability of FRET reagents becomes a significant concern. Here, we will review current advances and limitations of FRET-based biosensor technology and discuss future FRET applications.