The photoluminescence spectral profiles of water-soluble aggregates of PbS quantum dots assembled through reversible metal coordination

Abstract

Reversible coupling of glutathione-capped PbS quantum dots through coordination with Zn²⁺ cations forms water-soluble aggregates. These assemblies mediate multi-step hopping of near-infrared excitons through unity-quantum yield Förster resonance energy transfer. The photoluminescence spectra from these samples are sensitive indicators of average interparticle distance.