title: Quantum dot fluorescence as a function of alkyl chain length in aqueous environments.
abstract: In this work, we examine the dependence of the fluorescence quantum yield of water-soluble CdSe/ZnS quantum dots on the local environment. The hydrophobicity of the local environment was modified by using different alkyl chain lengths in a set of oligo-ethylene glycols. Our results show that the quantum yield of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots is highest for the longest alkyl chain length, suggesting that a more hydrophobic environment is beneficial for generating bright, water-soluble quantum dots.
authors.affiliation: Naval Research Laboratory, 4555 Overlook Avenue SW, Washington, D.C. 20375, USA. amyblum@cbmse.nrl.navy.mil
authors.forename: Amy Szuchmacher
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Blum
authors.forename: Martin H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: Banahalli R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Ratna
mesh_terms: D019187:Cadmium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D002621:Chemistry / Q000379:methods*; D005453:Fluorescence; D006018:Glycols / Q000737:chemistry; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008422:Materials Testing; D008956:Models, Chemical; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods; D045663:Quantum Dots; D018036:Selenium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D012995:Solubility; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000737:chemistry; D013440:Sulfides / Q000737:chemistry; D013499:Surface Properties; D013864:Thioglycolates / Q000737:chemistry; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D017967:Zinc Compounds / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D019187:Cadmium Compounds; D006018:Glycols; D018036:Selenium Compounds; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds; D013440:Sulfides; D013864:Thioglycolates; D017967:Zinc Compounds; D014867:Water; C017487:2-mercaptoacetate; C058667:cadmium selenide; C031238:zinc sulfide