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Updated: May 13, 2026

Compact Quantum Dots for Single-molecule Imaging
Published on: October 9, 2012
Luminescent 'On-Off' CdSe/ZnS quantum dot chemodosimeter for hydroxide based on photoinduced electron transfer from a
Lara A Gauci1, Lindsay G Kelland, David C Magri
1Department of Chemistry, University of Malta, Msida, MSD 2080, Malta.
Abstract:
A CdSe-ZnS quantum dot (QD) has been surface functionalised by a place exchange reaction with p-mercaptomethyl benzoate synthesized by a three-step procedure. The resulting lumophore-spacer-receptor QD-conjugate was characterized by IR, UV-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy. The emission profile of the QD reveals a narrow emission peak centred at 542 nm. Addition of hydroxide to the solution containing the QD-conjugate results in quenching of the original fluorescence, which is attributed to a photoinduced electron transfer reaction from the electron-rich benzoate moiety to the QD valence band. This is the first reported example of fluorescent quenching of a CdSe-ZnS QD luminescence by an aryl carboxylate moiety.
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