Enforcing Luminescence at Organic Nanointerfaces: Luminescence Spatial Confinement and Amplification in Molecular-Based Core-Shell Nanoparticles

Semiconducting quantum dots, whose particle sizes are in the nanometer range, have very unusual properties. The quantum dots have band gaps that depend in a complicated fashion upon a number of factors, described in the article. Processing-structure-properties-performance relationships are reviewed for compound semiconducting quantum dots. Various methods for synthesizing these quantum dots are discussed, as well as their resulting properties. Quantum states and confinement of their excitons may shift their optical absorption and emission energies. Such effects are important for tuning their luminescence stimulated by photons (photoluminescence) or electric field (electroluminescence). In this article, decoupling of quantum effects on excitation and emission are described, along with the use of quantum dots as sensitizers in phosphors. In addition, we reviewed the multimodal applications of quantum dots, including in electroluminescence device, solar cell and biological imaging. Show more

Nanoparticles of noble metals belong to the most extensively studied colloidal systems in the field of nanoscience and nanotechnology. Due to continuing progress in the synthesis of nanoparticles with controlled morphologies, the exploration of unique morphology-dependent properties has gained momentum. Anisotropic features in nonspherical nanoparticles make them ideal candidates for enhanced chemical, catalytic, and local field related applications. Nonspherical plasmon resonant nanoparticles offer favorable properties for their use as analytical tools, or as diagnostic and therapeutic agents. This Review highlights morphology-dependent properties of nonspherical noble metal nanoparticles with a focus on localized surface plasmon resonance and local field enhancement, as well as their applications in various fields including Raman spectroscopy, fluorescence enhancement, analytics and sensing, photothermal therapy, (bio-)diagnostics, and imaging. Show more

We review the syntheses, optical properties, and biological applications of cadmium selenide (CdSe) and cadmium selenide-zinc sulfide (CdSe-ZnS) quantum dots (QDs) and gold (Au) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs). Specifically, we selected the syntheses of QDs and Au and Ag NPs in aqueous and organic phases, size- and shape-dependent photoluminescence (PL) of QDs and plasmon of metal NPs, and their bioimaging applications. The PL properties of QDs are discussed with reference to their band gap structure and various electronic transitions, relations of PL and photoactivated PL with surface defects, and blinking of single QDs. Optical properties of Ag and Au NPs are discussed with reference to their size- and shape-dependent surface plasmon bands, electron dynamics and relaxation, and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). The bioimaging applications are discussed with reference to in vitro and in vivo imaging of live cells, and in vivo imaging of cancers, tumor vasculature, and lymph nodes. Other aspects of the review are in vivo deep tissue imaging, multiphoton excitation, NIR fluorescence and SERS imaging, and toxic effects of NPs and their clearance from the body. Show more