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Enhanced Luminescence Efficiency from Hydrogel Microbead Encapsulated Quantum Dots

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 February 2011

Arup Neogi
Affiliation:
arup@unt.edu, University of North Texas, Physics, 211 Ave. A, Denton, TX, 76203, United States, 9403698437
Santaneel Ghosh
Affiliation:
sghoshtx@gmail.com, University of North Texas, Department of Physics, 211 Ave. A, Denton, TX, 76203, United States
Jianyou Li
Affiliation:
jl0014@unt.edu, University of North Texas, Department of Physics, 211 Ave. A, Denton, TX, 76203, United States
Tong Cai
Affiliation:
tong.cai@gmail.com, University of North Texas, Department of Physics, 211 Ave. A, Denton, TX, 76203, United States
Zhibing Hu
Affiliation:
zbhu@unt.edu, University of North Texas, Department of Physics, 211 Ave. A, Denton, TX, 76203, United States
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Abstract

In this paper, a novel quantum dot (QD) based nanomaterial system is presented for efficient FRET analysis. The quantum dots have been embedded in hydrogel microspheres based on poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) a thermoresponsive polymer that undergoes a volume phase transition across the low critical solution (LCST). The optical properties of the quantum dots entrapped within the gel microspheres has been modified due to change in refractive index, volume density of the surrounding hydrogel medium. The QDs encapsulated in the PNIPAM microspheres showed 100–200 % enhancement in the PL efficiency as the microgels shrank at the temperature above the LCST temperature of the gel.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2007

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References

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