Photophysical study of a covalently linked quantum dot–low symmetry phthalocyanine conjugate

The linkage of a low symmetry phthalocyanine, ZnttbIPc to mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) capped CdTe quantum dots has been achieved using a coupling agent, dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC), to facilitate formation of an amide bond. UV–vis, Raman and IR spectroscopic studies on the linked (QD:ZnttbIPc-linked) conjugate suggest the reaction was a success. Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) resulted in stimulated emission of ZnttbIPc in both the linked (QD:ZnttbIPc-linked) and mixed (QD:ZnttbIPc-mixed) conjugates. The linked complex (QD:ZnttbIPc-linked) gave the largest FRET efficiency hence showing the advantages of covalent linking. Photophysicochemical properties of the phthalocyanine were improved in the presence of the QDs i.e. for QD:ZnttbIPc-mixed. Fluorescence lifetimes of QDs were unchanged in QD:ZnttbIPc-mixed and decreased for QD:ZnttbIPc-linked.