Construction of interfacial energy transfer nanoplatforms using carbon dots and NaYF4:Eu3+ nanoparticles

Abstract

Förster resonant energy transfer (FRET) is a well-known and important phenomenon in physics, chemistry, and biology, which plays a crucial role in various photofunctional systems, including photovoltaics, and lighting, and sensing where molecular distances and interactions are probed. This paper presents a systematical investigation of the construction of interfacial FRET between carbon dots (CDs) and NaYF4:Eu3+ nanoparticles (NPs) via various synthesis routes. The interfacial FRET was found to take place from CDs to Eu3+ in the wet-mixed and the reacted nanocomposites owing to the presence of strong interfacial interactions, as evidenced by the results of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). By employing CDs-sensitized NaYF4:Eu3+ NPs as a model system, we were able to elucidate the intricate FRET mechanism between CDs and NaYF4:Eu3+ NPs. Surprisingly, the reacted nanocomposite exhibits remarkable photo- and thermal-stability, as well as high resistance to thermal degradation, demonstrating the robustness of the interfacial FRET in enhancing Eu3+ emission intensity. The study presents a convenient and versatile approach to achieving interfacial FRET based on CDs nanocomposites, which have a promising potential application in solid-state lighting and biomedicine.