@article{MorgnerStuflerGeissleretal.2011,
  author    = {Morgner, Frank and Stufler, Stefan and Geissler, Daniel and Medintz, Igor L. and Algar, W. Russ and Susumu, Kimihiro and Stewart, Michael H. and Blanco-Canosa, Juan B. and Dawson, Philip E. and Hildebrandt, Niko},
  title     = {Terbium to quantum dot FRET Bioconjugates for clinical diagnostics influence of human plasma on optical and assembly properties},
  series = {Sensors},
  volume    = {11},
  journal   = {Sensors},
  number    = {10},
  publisher = {MDPI},
  address   = {Basel},
  issn      = {1424-8220},
  doi       = {10.3390/s111009667},
  pages     = {9667 -- 9684},
  year      = {2011},
  abstract  = {Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) from luminescent terbium complexes (LTC) as donors to semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) as acceptors allows extraordinary large FRET efficiencies due to the long Forster distances afforded. Moreover, time-gated detection permits an efficient suppression of autofluorescent background leading to sub-picomolar detection limits even within multiplexed detection formats. These characteristics make FRET-systems with LTC and QDs excellent candidates for clinical diagnostics. So far, such proofs of principle for highly sensitive multiplexed biosensing have only been performed under optimized buffer conditions and interactions between real-life clinical media such as human serum or plasma and LTC-QD-FRET-systems have not yet been taken into account. Here we present an extensive spectroscopic analysis of absorption, excitation and emission spectra along with the luminescence decay times of both the single components as well as the assembled FRET-systems in TRIS-buffer, TRIS-buffer with 2\% bovine serum albumin, and fresh human plasma. Moreover, we evaluated homogeneous LTC-QD FRET assays in QD conjugates assembled with either the well-known, specific biotin-streptavidin biological interaction or, alternatively, the metal-affinity coordination of histidine to zinc. In the case of conjugates assembled with biotin-streptavidin no significant interference with the optical and binding properties occurs whereas the histidine-zinc system appears to be affected by human plasma.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Bomm2012,
  author    = {Bomm, Jana},
  title     = {Von Gold Plasmonen und Exzitonen : Synthese, Charakterisierung und Applikationen von Gold Nanopartikeln},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-66402},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  year      = {2012},
  abstract  = {In dieser Arbeit wurden sph{\"a}rische Gold Nanopartikel (NP) mit einem Durchmesser gr{\"o}ßer ~ 2 nm, Gold Quantenpunkte (QDs) mit einem Durchmesser kleiner ~ 2 nm sowie Gold Nanost{\"a}bchen (NRs) unterschiedlicher L{\"a}nge hergestellt und optisch charakterisiert. Zudem wurden zwei neue Synthesevarianten f{\"u}r die Herstellung thermosensitiver Gold QDs entwickelt werden. Sph{\"a}rische Gold NP zeigen eine Plasmonenbande bei ~ 520 nm, die auf die kollektive Oszillation von Elektronen zur{\"u}ckzuf{\"u}hren ist. Gold NRs weisen aufgrund ihrer anisotropen Form zwei Plasmonenbanden auf, eine transversale Plasmonenbande bei ~ 520 nm und eine longitudinale Plasmonenbande, die vom L{\"a}nge-zu-Durchmesser-Verh{\"a}ltnis der Gold NRs abh{\"a}ngig ist. Gold QDs besitzen keine Plasmonenbande, da ihre Elektronen Quantenbeschr{\"a}nkungen unterliegen. Gold QDs zeigen jedoch aufgrund diskreter Energieniveaus und einer Bandl{\"u}cke Photolumineszenz (PL). Die synthetisierten Gold QDs besitzen eine Breitbandlumineszenz im Bereich von ~ 500-800 nm, wobei die Lumineszenz-eigenschaften (Emissionspeak, Quantenausbeute, Lebenszeiten) stark von den Herstellungs-bedingungen und den Oberfl{\"a}chenliganden abh{\"a}ngen. Die PL in Gold QDs ist ein sehr komplexes Ph{\"a}nomen und r{\"u}hrt vermutlich von Singulett- und Triplett-Zust{\"a}nden her. Gold NRs und Gold QDs konnten in verschiedene Polymere wie bspw. Cellulosetriacetat eingearbeitet werden. Polymernanokomposite mit Gold NRs wurden erstmals unter definierten Bedingungen mechanisch gezogen, um Filme mit optisch anisotropen (richtungsabh{\"a}ngigen) Eigenschaften zu erhalten. Zudem wurde das Temperaturverhalten von Gold NRs und Gold QDs untersucht. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass eine lokale Variation der Gr{\"o}ße und Form von Gold NRs in Polymernanokompositen durch Temperaturerh{\"o}hung auf 225-250 °C erzielt werden kann. Es zeigte sich, dass die PL der Gold QDs stark temperaturabh{\"a}ngig ist, wodurch die PL QY der Proben beim Abk{\"u}hlen (-7 °C) auf knapp 30 \% verdoppelt und beim Erhitzen auf 70 °C nahezu vollst{\"a}ndig gel{\"o}scht werden konnte. Es konnte demonstriert werden, dass die L{\"a}nge der Alkylkette des Oberfl{\"a}chenliganden einen Einfluss auf die Temperaturstabilit{\"a}t der Gold QDs hat. Zudem wurden verschiedene neuartige und optisch anisotrope Sicherheitslabels mit Gold NRs sowie thermosensitive Sicherheitslabel mit Gold QDs entwickelt. Ebenso scheinen Gold NRs und QDs f{\"u}r die und die Optoelektronik (bspw. Datenspeicherung) und die Medizin (bspw. Krebsdiagnostik bzw. -therapie) von großem Interesse zu sein.},
  language  = {de}
}
@phdthesis{Morgner2012,
  author    = {Morgner, Frank},
  title     = {Quantenpunktbasiertes spektroskopisches Lineal mit Terbium-Komplexen als Donoren f{\"u}r optische FRET-Multiplexmessungen},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus-63576},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  year      = {2012},
  abstract  = {Der F{\"o}rster-Resonanzenergietransfer (FRET) liefert einen wichtigen Beitrag bei der Untersuchung kleinskaliger biologischer Systeme und Prozesse. M{\"o}glich wird dies durch die r-6-Abh{\"a}ngigkeit des FRET, die es erlaubt Abst{\"a}nde und strukturelle {\"A}nderungen weit unterhalb der Beugungsgrenze des Lichts mit hoher Sensitivit{\"a}t und geringem Aufwand zu bestimmen. Die besonderen photophysikalischen Eigenschaften von Terbiumkomplexen (LTC) und Quantenpunkten (QD) machen sie zu geeigneten Kandidaten f{\"u}r hochsensitive und st{\"o}rungsarme Multiplex-Abstandsmessungen in biologischen Systemen und Prozessen. Die Abstandsbestimmungen setzen jedoch eine genaueste Kenntnis des Mechanismus des Energietransfers von LTC auf QD ebenso voraus, wie das Wissen um Gr{\"o}ße und Gestalt letzterer. Quantenpunkte haben im Vergleich zu biologischen Strukturen {\"a}hnliche Dimensionen und k{\"o}nnen nicht als punktf{\"o}rmig betrachtet werden, wie es bei einfacheren Farbstoffen m{\"o}glich ist. Durch ihre Form kommt es zu einer Abstandsverteilung innerhalb des Donor-Akzeptorsystems. Dies beeinflusst den Energietransfer und damit die experimentellen Ergebnisse. In dieser Arbeit wurde der Energietransfer von LTC auf QD untersucht, um zu einer Aussage hinsichtlich des Mechanismus der Energie{\"u}bertragung und der dabei zu ber{\"u}cksichtigenden photophysikalischen und strukturellen Parameter von LTC und QD zu gelangen. Mit der Annahme einer Abstandsverteilung sollten die Gr{\"o}ßen der Quantenpunkte bestimmt und der Einfluss von Form und Gestalt auf den Energietransfer betrachtet werden. Die notwendigen theoretischen und praktischen Grundlagen wurden eingangs dargestellt. Daran schlossen sich Messungen zur photophysikalischen Charakterisierung der Donoren und Akzeptoren an, die Grundlage der Berechnung der FRET-Parameter waren. Die F{\"o}rster-Radien zeigten die f{\"u}r den FRET von LTC auf QD typischen extrem hohen Werte von bis zu 11 nm. Zeitaufgel{\"o}ste Messungen der FRET-induzierten Lumineszenz der Donoren und Akzeptoren in den beiden biomolekularen Modellsystemen Zink-Histidin und Biotin-Streptavidin beschlossen den praktischen Teil. Als Donor wurde Lumi4Tb gebunden an ein Peptid bzw. Streptavidin genutzt, Akzeptoren waren f{\"u}nf verschiedene, kommerziell erh{\"a}ltliche Quantenpunkte mit Carboxyl- bzw. Biotinfunktionalisierung. Bei allen Donor-Akzeptor-Paarungen konnte FRET beobachtet und ausgewertet werden. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass die gesamte Emission des Terbiums zum Energietransfer beitr{\"a}gt und der Orientierungsfaktor ² den Wert 2/3 annimmt. Die Charakterisierung der Bindungsverh{\"a}ltnisse innerhalb der FRET-Paare von LTC und QD {\"u}ber Verteilungsfunktionen bietet {\"u}ber die Form der Verteilungskurve die M{\"o}glichkeit Aussagen {\"u}ber die Gestalt der FRET-Partner zu treffen. So war es m{\"o}glich, die mittlere Form der Quantenpunkte als Sph{\"a}re zu bestimmen. Dies entsprach, insbesondere bei den in z-Richtung des Kristallgitters elongierten Quantenpunkten, nicht den Erwartungen. Dieser Befund erm{\"o}glicht daher bei zuk{\"u}nftigen Messungen eine Verbesserung der Genauigkeit bei Abstandsbestimmungen mit Quantenpunkten. Neben der Ermittlung der die FRET-Verteilung bestimmenden Gestalt der Quantenpunkte konnte im Rahmen dieser Arbeit anhand vergleichender Messungen die Dicke der Polymerh{\"u}lle der QD bestimmt und so gezeigt werden, dass FRET-Paare aus lumineszenten Terbiumkomplexen und Quantenpunkten in der Lage sind, Abst{\"a}nde im Nano- bis Sub-Nanometerbereich aufzul{\"o}sen.},
  language  = {de}
}
@misc{CywińskiNonoCharbonniereetal.2014,
  author    = {Cywiński, Piotr J. and Nono, Katia Nchimi and Charbonni{\`e}re, Lo{\"i}c J. and Hammann, Tommy and L{\"o}hmannsr{\"o}ben, Hans-Gerd},
  title     = {Photophysical evaluation of a new functional terbium complex in FRET-based time-resolved homogenous fluoroassays},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-95390},
  pages     = {6060 -- 6067},
  year      = {2014},
  abstract  = {A new functional luminescent lanthanide complex (LLC) has been synthesized with terbium as a central lanthanide ion and biotin as a functional moiety. Unlike in typical lanthanide complexes assembled via carboxylic moieties, in the presented complex, four phosphate groups are chelating the central lanthanide ion. This special chemical assembly enhances the complex stability in phosphate buffers conventionally used in biochemistry. The complex synthesis strategy and photophysical properties are described as well as the performance in time-resolved F{\"o}rster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET) assays. In those assays, this biotin-LLC transferred energy either to acceptor organic dyes (Cy5 or AF680) labelled on streptavidin or to quantum dots (QD655 or QD705) surface-functionalised with streptavidins. The permanent spatial donor-acceptor proximity is assured through strong and stable biotin-streptavidin binding. The energy transfer is evidenced from the quenching observed in donor emission and from a decrease in donor luminescence decay, both associated with simultaneous increase in acceptor intensity and in the decay time. The dye-based assays are realised in TRIS and in PBS, whereas QD-based systems are studied in borate buffer. The delayed emission analysis allows for quantifying the recognition process and for auto-fluorescence-free detection, which is particularly relevant for application in bioanalysis. In accordance with F{\"o}rster theory, F{\"o}rster-radii (R0) were found to be around 60 {\AA} for organic dyes and around 105 {\AA} for QDs. The FRET efficiency (η) reached 80\% and 25\% for dye and QD acceptors, respectively. Physical donor-acceptor distances (r) have been determined in the range 45-60 {\AA} for organic dye acceptors, while for acceptor QDs between 120 {\AA} and 145 {\AA}. This newly synthesised biotin-LLC extends the class of highly sensitive analytical tools to be applied in the bioanalytical methods such as time-resolved fluoroimmunoassays (TR-FIA), luminescent imaging and biosensing.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{CywinskiHammannHuehnetal.2014,
  author    = {Cywinski, Piotr J. and Hammann, Tommy and Huehn, Dominik and Parak, Wolfgang J. and Hildebrandt, Niko and L{\"o}hmannsr{\"o}ben, Hans-Gerd},
  title     = {Europium-quantum dot nanobioconjugates as luminescent probes for time-gated biosensing},
  series = {Journal of biomedical optics},
  volume    = {19},
  journal   = {Journal of biomedical optics},
  number    = {10},
  publisher = {SPIE},
  address   = {Bellingham},
  issn      = {1083-3668},
  doi       = {10.1117/1.JBO.19.10.101506},
  pages     = {8},
  year      = {2014},
  abstract  = {Nanobioconjugates have been synthesized using cadmium selenide quantum dots (QDs), europium complexes (EuCs), and biotin. In those conjugates, long-lived photoluminescence (PL) is provided by the europium complexes, which efficiently transfer energy via Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) to the QDs in close spatial proximity. As a result, the conjugates have a PL emission spectrum characteristic for QDs combined with the long PL decay time characteristic for EuCs. The nanobioconjugates synthesis strategy and photo-physical properties are described as well as their performance in a time-resolved streptavidin-biotin PL assay. In order to prepare the QD-EuC-biotin conjugates, first an amphiphilic polymer has been functionalized with the EuC and biotin. Then, the polymer has been brought onto the surface of the QDs (either QD655 or QD705) to provide functionality and to make the QDs water dispersible. Due to a short distance between EuC and QD, an efficient FRET can be observed. Additionally, the QD-EuC-biotin conjugates' functionality has been demonstrated in a PL assay yielding good signal discrimination, both from autofluorescence and directly excited QDs. These newly designed QD-EuC-biotin conjugates expand the class of highly sensitive tools for bioanalytical optical detection methods for diagnostic and imaging applications. (C) 2014 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers (SPIE)},
  language  = {en}
}
@misc{OlejkoCywińskiBald2016,
  author    = {Olejko, Lydia and Cywiński, P. J. and Bald, Ilko},
  title     = {An ion-controlled four-color fluorescent telomeric switch on DNA origami structures},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-95831},
  pages     = {10339 -- 10347},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {The folding of single-stranded telomeric DNA into guanine (G) quadruplexes is a conformational change that plays a major role in sensing and drug targeting. The telomeric DNA can be placed on DNA origami nanostructures to make the folding process extremely selective for K+ ions even in the presence of high Na+ concentrations. Here, we demonstrate that the K+-selective G-quadruplex formation is reversible when using a cryptand to remove K+ from the G-quadruplex. We present a full characterization of the reversible switching between single-stranded telomeric DNA and G-quadruplex structures using F{\"o}rster resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the dyes fluorescein (FAM) and cyanine3 (Cy3). When attached to the DNA origami platform, the G-quadruplex switch can be incorporated into more complex photonic networks, which is demonstrated for a three-color and a four-color FRET cascade from FAM over Cy3 and Cy5 to IRDye700 with G-quadruplex-Cy3 acting as a switchable transmitter.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{OlejkoCywińskiBald2016,
  author    = {Olejko, Lydia and Cywiński, Piotr J. and Bald, Ilko},
  title     = {An ion-controlled four-color fluorescent telomeric switch on DNA origami structures},
  series = {Nanoscale},
  volume    = {8},
  journal   = {Nanoscale},
  publisher = {RSC Publ.},
  address   = {Cambridge},
  issn      = {2040-3372},
  doi       = {10.1039/C6NR00119J},
  pages     = {10339 -- 10347},
  year      = {2016},
  abstract  = {The folding of single-stranded telomeric DNA into guanine (G) quadruplexes is a conformational change that plays a major role in sensing and drug targeting. The telomeric DNA can be placed on DNA origami nanostructures to make the folding process extremely selective for K+ ions even in the presence of high Na+ concentrations. Here, we demonstrate that the K+-selective G-quadruplex formation is reversible when using a cryptand to remove K+ from the G-quadruplex. We present a full characterization of the reversible switching between single-stranded telomeric DNA and G-quadruplex structures using F{\"o}rster resonance energy transfer (FRET) between the dyes fluorescein (FAM) and cyanine3 (Cy3). When attached to the DNA origami platform, the G-quadruplex switch can be incorporated into more complex photonic networks, which is demonstrated for a three-color and a four-color FRET cascade from FAM over Cy3 and Cy5 to IRDye700 with G-quadruplex-Cy3 acting as a switchable transmitter.},
  language  = {en}
}
@phdthesis{Riedel2018,
  author    = {Riedel, Marc},
  title     = {Photonic wiring of enzymatic reactions to photoactive entities for the construction of biohybrid electrodes},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-417280},
  school      = {Universit{\"a}t Potsdam},
  pages     = {VIII, 168},
  year      = {2018},
  abstract  = {In this work, different strategies for the construction of biohybrid photoelectrodes are investigated and have been evaluated according to their intrinsic catalytic activity for the oxidation of the cofactor NADH or for the connection with the enzymes PQQ glucose dehydrogenase (PQQ-GDH), FAD-dependent glucose dehydrogenase (FAD-GDH) and fructose dehydrogenase (FDH). The light-controlled oxidation of NADH has been analyzed with InGaN/GaN nanowire-modified electrodes. Upon illumination with visible light the InGaN/GaN nanowires generate an anodic photocurrent, which increases in a concentration-dependent manner in the presence of NADH, thus allowing determination of the cofactor. Furthermore, different approaches for the connection of enzymes to quantum dot (QD)-modified electrodes via small redox molecules or redox polymers have been analyzed and discussed. First, interaction studies with diffusible redox mediators such as hexacyanoferrate(II) and ferrocenecarboxylic acid have been performed with CdSe/ZnS QD-modified gold electrodes to build up photoelectrochemical signal chains between QDs and the enzymes FDH and PQQ-GDH. In the presence of substrate and under illumination of the electrode, electrons are transferred from the enzyme via the redox mediators to the QDs. The resulting photocurrent is dependent on the substrate concentration and allows a quantification of the fructose and glucose content in solution. A first attempt with immobilized redox mediator, i.e. ferrocenecarboxylic acid chemically coupled to PQQ-GDH and attached to QD-modified gold electrodes, reveal the potential to build up photoelectrochemical signal chains even without diffusible redox mediators in solution. However, this approach results in a significant deteriorated photocurrent response compared to the situation with diffusing mediators. In order to improve the photoelectrochemical performance of such redox mediator-based, light-switchable signal chains, an osmium complex-containing redox polymer has been evaluated as electron relay for the electronic linkage between QDs and enzymes. The redox polymer allows the stable immobilization of the enzyme and the efficient wiring with the QD-modified electrode. In addition, a 3D inverse opal TiO2 (IO-TiO2) electrode has been used for the integration of PbS QDs, redox polymer and FAD-GDH in order to increase the electrode surface. This results in a significantly improved photocurrent response, a quite low onset potential for the substrate oxidation and a broader glucose detection range as compared to the approach with ferrocenecarboxylic acid and PQQ-GDH immobilized on CdSe/ZnS QD-modified gold electrodes. Furthermore, IO-TiO2 electrodes are used to integrate sulfonated polyanilines (PMSA1) and PQQ-GDH, and to investigate the direct interaction between the polymer and the enzyme for the light-switchable detection of glucose. While PMSA1 provides visible light excitation and ensures the efficient connection between the IO-TiO2 electrode and the biocatalytic entity, PQQ-GDH enables the oxidation of glucose. Here, the IO-TiO2 electrodes with pores of approximately 650 nm provide a suitable interface and morphology, which is required for a stable and functional assembly of the polymer and enzyme. The successful integration of the polymer and the enzyme can be confirmed by the formation of a glucose-dependent anodic photocurrent. In conclusion, this work provides insights into the design of photoelectrodes and presents different strategies for the efficient coupling of redox enzymes to photoactive entities, which allows for light-directed sensing and provides the basis for the generation of power from sun light and energy-rich compounds.},
  language  = {en}
}
@article{HeyneArltGessneretal.2020,
  author    = {Heyne, Benjamin and Arlt, Kristin and Geßner, Andr{\´e} and Richter, Alexander F. and D{\"o}blinger, Markus and Feldmann, Jochen and Taubert, Andreas and Wedel, Armin},
  title     = {Mixed Mercaptocarboxylic Acid Shells Provide Stable Dispersions of InPZnS/ZnSe/ZnS Multishell Quantum Dots in Aqueous Media},
  series = {Nanomaterials},
  volume    = {10},
  journal   = {Nanomaterials},
  number    = {9},
  publisher = {MDPI},
  address   = {Basel},
  issn      = {2079-4991},
  doi       = {10.3390/nano10091858},
  pages     = {24},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Highly luminescent indium phosphide zinc sulfide (InPZnS) quantum dots (QDs), with zinc selenide/zinc sulfide (ZnSe/ZnS) shells, were synthesized. The QDs were modified via a post-synthetic ligand exchange reaction with 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) and 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) in different MPA:MUA ratios, making this study the first investigation into the effects of mixed ligand shells on InPZnS QDs. Moreover, this article also describes an optimized method for the correlation of the QD size vs. optical absorption of the QDs. Upon ligand exchange, the QDs can be dispersed in water. Longer ligands (MUA) provide more stable dispersions than short-chain ligands. Thicker ZnSe/ZnS shells provide a better photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) and higher emission stability upon ligand exchange. Both the ligand exchange and the optical properties are highly reproducible between different QD batches. Before dialysis, QDs with a ZnS shell thickness of ~4.9 monolayers (ML), stabilized with a mixed MPA:MUA (mixing ratio of 1:10), showed the highest PLQY, at ~45\%. After dialysis, QDs with a ZnS shell thickness of ~4.9 ML, stabilized with a mixed MPA:MUA and a ratio of 1:10 and 1:100, showed the highest PLQYs, of ~41\%. The dispersions were stable up to 44 days at ambient conditions and in the dark. After 44 days, QDs with a ZnS shell thickness of ~4.9 ML, stabilized with only MUA, showed the highest PLQY, of ~34\%.},
  language  = {en}
}
@misc{HeyneArltGessneretal.2020,
  author    = {Heyne, Benjamin and Arlt, Kristin and Geßner, Andr{\´e} and Richter, Alexander F. and D{\"o}blinger, Markus and Feldmann, Jochen and Taubert, Andreas and Wedel, Armin},
  title     = {Mixed Mercaptocarboxylic Acid Shells Provide Stable Dispersions of InPZnS/ZnSe/ZnS Multishell Quantum Dots in Aqueous Media},
  series = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe},
  journal   = {Postprints der Universit{\"a}t Potsdam : Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Reihe},
  number    = {1026},
  issn      = {1866-8372},
  doi       = {10.25932/publishup-48603},
  url       = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:kobv:517-opus4-486032},
  pages     = {26},
  year      = {2020},
  abstract  = {Highly luminescent indium phosphide zinc sulfide (InPZnS) quantum dots (QDs), with zinc selenide/zinc sulfide (ZnSe/ZnS) shells, were synthesized. The QDs were modified via a post-synthetic ligand exchange reaction with 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) and 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) in different MPA:MUA ratios, making this study the first investigation into the effects of mixed ligand shells on InPZnS QDs. Moreover, this article also describes an optimized method for the correlation of the QD size vs. optical absorption of the QDs. Upon ligand exchange, the QDs can be dispersed in water. Longer ligands (MUA) provide more stable dispersions than short-chain ligands. Thicker ZnSe/ZnS shells provide a better photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) and higher emission stability upon ligand exchange. Both the ligand exchange and the optical properties are highly reproducible between different QD batches. Before dialysis, QDs with a ZnS shell thickness of ~4.9 monolayers (ML), stabilized with a mixed MPA:MUA (mixing ratio of 1:10), showed the highest PLQY, at ~45\%. After dialysis, QDs with a ZnS shell thickness of ~4.9 ML, stabilized with a mixed MPA:MUA and a ratio of 1:10 and 1:100, showed the highest PLQYs, of ~41\%. The dispersions were stable up to 44 days at ambient conditions and in the dark. After 44 days, QDs with a ZnS shell thickness of ~4.9 ML, stabilized with only MUA, showed the highest PLQY, of ~34\%.},
  language  = {en}
}