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Effect of Ag\(_{2}\)S/SiO\(_{2}\) QDs surface structure on luminescence photostability

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Abstract

The paper presents regularities that demonstrate the formation effect of passivating ligands of thioglycolic acid, L-cysteine (TGA, L-Cys), and dielectric shells (SiO\(_{2}\)) on the Ag\(_{2}\)S nanocrystals’ surface on the their IR luminescence photostability. Manifestations of the interaction between passivating ligand molecules of TGA and L-Cys with Ag\(_{2}\)S nanocrystals, as well as SiO\(_{2}\) shell formation due to the replacement process of organic ligands with a silica ligand (MPTMS) (“ligand exchange”), were established, using FTIR absorption spectroscopy. In the case of replacing TGA with MPTMS, an increase in the luminescence quantum yield of formed Ag\(_{2}\)S quantum dots (QDs) and its resistance to long-term exposure to exciting light was found. In the case of replacing L-Cys with MPTMS, the formation of a fragmentary SiO\(_{2}\)/L-Cys shell on Ag\(_{2}\)S nanocrystals due to the partial replacement of L-Cys with MPTMS was found. It contributes to the non-reversible photodegradation of Ag\(_{2}\)S QDs luminescence as a result of SiO\(_{2}\)/L-Cys shell photodestruction.

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Acknowledgements

The results of transmission electron microscopy were obtained on a Libra 120 microscope using the equipment of the Center for Collective Use of the Voronezh State University. The work was carried out within the framework of the State Task for Universities (FZGU-2023-0007). The work was supported by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation under agreement No. 075-15-2021-1351 in terms of the structural analysis of colloidal Ag\(_{2}\)S QDs.

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  1. Department of Optic and Spectroscopy, Voronezh State University, Universitetskay sq., 1, 394018, Voronezh, Russia

    Irina Grevtseva, Oleg Ovchinnikov, Mikhail Smirnov, Tamara Kondratenko, Alaa Hussein, Nikita Egorov & Ekaterina Vozgorkova

  2. Department, Federal State Budget Educational Institution of Higher Education Voronezh State University of Engineering Technologies, Revolution Av.,19, 394036, Voronezh, Russia

    Mikhail Smirnov

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  1. Irina Grevtseva
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Grevtseva, I., Ovchinnikov, O., Smirnov, M. et al. Effect of Ag\(_{2}\)S/SiO\(_{2}\) QDs surface structure on luminescence photostability. J Nanopart Res 25, 118 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-023-05705-6

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