Photoluminescence spectroscopy of Cd-based quantum dots for optosensing biochemical molecules

ABSTRACT

The size-dependent properties of optical quantum dots (QDs), such as broad excitation spectra; narrow, tunable, and symmetric emission spectra; and high resistance to photo-bleaching lead them to be a promising candidate for optosensing diverse targets, including metal ions, drugs, biochemical compounds, and pathogenic bacteria. Here, we report on the recent developments of synthetic and functionalized methods for preparing cadmium (Cd)-based QDs. We discuss their surface modification and toxicity. In particular, we focus on how optosensing techniques have progressed for biochemical analysis using Cd-based QDs over the years.

KEYWORDS:

• Optosensing
• functionalization
• surface modification
• fluorescent quenching
• Cd-based quantum dots

Funding

This work was supported by the Basic Science Research Program of the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (NRF-2014R1A1A4A01008793).