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UV Light as an Efficient Tool for Reducing Surface Defects of ZnSe-MSA Quantum Dots

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Abstract

Defects in ZnSe quantum dots are responsible for increasing the trap states, which can lead to the drastic reduction of their fluorescence output, being one of the major drawbacks of these materials. As surface atoms become more relevant in these nanoscale structures, energy traps due to surface vacancies, play a very definite role in the final emission quantum yield. In the present study, we report the use of photoactivation procedures to decrease surface defects of ZnSe QDs stabilized with mercaptosuccinic acid (MSA), in order to improve the radiative pathways. We applied the colloidal precipitation procedure in a hydrophilic medium and evaluated the role of Zn/Se molar ratios as well as the Zn2+ precursors (nitrate and chloride salts) on their optical properties. Best results (i.e. increment of 400% of the final fluorescence intensity) were obtained for nitrate precursor and a Zn/Se = 1.2 ratio. Thus, we suggest that the chloride ions may compete more efficiently than nitrate ions with MSA molecules decreasing the passivation capability of this molecule. The improvement in ZnSe QDs fluorescence can potentialize their use for biomedical applications.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the following Brazilian agencies: the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES), the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), and the Foundation for Science and Technology of Pernambuco (FACEPE). This work is also linked to the National Institute of Photonics (INFo). GP acknowledges financial support to CESAM by FCT/MCTES (UIDP/50017/2020 + UIDB/50017/2020 + LA/P/0094/2020), through national funds.

Funding

This work was supported by CNPq (project number 408103/2013-2) and National Institute of Photonics (INFo). GP acknowledges financial support to CESAM by FCT/MCTES (UIDP/50017/2020 + UIDB/50017/2020 + LA/P/0094/2020), through national funds.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Materials Science Graduate Program, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil

    Jéssica D. S. Queiroz, Giovannia A. L. Pereira, Goreti Pereira & Beate S. Santos

  2. Department of Fundamental Chemistry, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil

    Igor M.R. Moura, Giovannia A. L. Pereira & Goreti Pereira

  3. Department of Biophysics and Radiobiology, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil

    Adriana Fontes

  4. Department Chemistry & CESAM, University of Aveiro, Aveiro, 3810-193, Portugal

    Goreti Pereira

  5. Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Federal University of Pernambuco, Recife, PE, 50740-520, Brazil

    Beate S. Santos

Authors
  1. Jéssica D. S. Queiroz
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  2. Igor M.R. Moura
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  3. Giovannia A. L. Pereira
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  5. Goreti Pereira
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  6. Beate S. Santos
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material synthesis, characterizations, and analysis were performed by Jéssica D. S. Queiróz, Igor M. R. Moura, Goreti Pereira, and Beate S. Santos. The first draft of the manuscript was written by Beate S. Santos, and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Goreti Pereira or Beate S. Santos.

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Queiroz, J.D.S., Moura, I.M., Pereira, G.A.L. et al. UV Light as an Efficient Tool for Reducing Surface Defects of ZnSe-MSA Quantum Dots. J Fluoresc 34, 667–673 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10895-023-03306-z

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