Photocatalysis from Fluorescence-Quenched CdSe/Au Nanoheterostructures: A Size-Dependent Study.
We report a systematic study of the electron-transfer process from CdSe quantum dots (QDs) to the Au tips as a function of the QD diameter and also the size of the Au-tip. For Au-tips smaller than ∼3 nm, that is, when they are still not metallic, a reduction in PL behavior is observed as the excited electrons are transferred from the QD-conduction band to Au, with quenching being higher for larger tips and smaller QDs. A combination of steady state and time-resolved studies establish the mechanism of charge transfer that is further confirmed by dye-degradation studies, showing the possibility of ambient day light photocatalysis.
Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India.
Udit
U
Soni
Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India.
Puspanjali
P
Tripathy
Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi, Hauz Khas, New Delhi 110016, India.
Sameer
S
Sapra
CdSe/Au; QD/Au; electron transfer; nanoheterostructures; photocatalysis