Size Reduction of CdSe/ZnS Quantum Dots by a Peptidic Amyloid Supergelator

Abstract

Anchoring of a self-assembling dipeptide on the surface of core/shell CdSe/ZnS quantum dots resulted in a competition between coordination of the surface atoms of the QDs and the strong tendency for the dipeptide to self-assemble in toluene. This resulted in a mild QD etching and in a corresponding increase in the band gap of the nanocrystals whose photoluminescent emission gradually turns blue with time. The FmocLeuLeuOH dipeptide supergelator self-assembles in fibrils in which the Fmoc groups are surrounded by the pendant isobutyl side chains of the leucine residues with vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) and liquid- and solid-state NMR attributes of twist anti-parallel β-sheets.