Nanoscaled science and engineering for trace explosive sensing: The effect of TNT concentration in the fluorescence emission of CdS quantum dots

ANYL 191

Edmy Ferrer, edmyjezreel@yahoo.com, Madeline de Leon, msleon_velz@yahoo.com, S. P. Hernandez-Rivera, and Miguel E. Castro, mcastro@uprm.edu. Department of Chemistry, The University of Puerto Rico at Mayaguez, Chemical Imaging Center and Center for Chemical Sensor Development, Mayaguez, PR 00680
Trace explosive detection is a major technological challenge. Selectivity and sensitivity are major issues in sensing trace amounts of explosive material. We report on femtosecond laser off-resonance fluorescence measurements of quantum dots-TNT assemblies in solution. The fluorescence emission of ZnS protected CdS quantum dots mixed with trace amounts of TNT is found to depend on the amount of TNT and the size of the QD. In QD that are between 2 and 5 nm in diameter, both red and blue shifts are observed in the fluorescence emission of the QD. A strong quenching of the fluorescence emission accompanies the observed shifts. The results are explained in terms of (1) a charge transfer mechanism based on charge injection from the photoexcited electrons in the TNT into the conduction band of the nanoscaled semiconductor and (2) introduction of new trap states localized in the TNT. The consequences of the experimental results in future developments of sensors for TNT detection are discussed.

 

General Papers
7:00 PM-9:00 PM, Sunday, 28 August 2005 Washington DC Convention Center -- Hall A, Poster

Sci-Mix
8:00 PM-10:00 PM, Monday, 29 August 2005 Washington DC Convention Center -- Hall A, Sci-Mix

Division of Analytical Chemistry

The 230th ACS National Meeting, in Washington, DC, Aug 28-Sept 1, 2005