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Lanthanide Complexes and Quantum Dots: A Bright Wedding for Resonance Energy Transfer
Author(s) -
Charbonnière Loïc J.,
Hildebrandt Niko
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
european journal of inorganic chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.667
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1099-0682
pISSN - 1434-1948
DOI - 10.1002/ejic.200800332
Subject(s) - förster resonance energy transfer , chemistry , quantum dot , luminescence , lanthanide , acceptor , resonance (particle physics) , energy transfer , nanocrystal , nanoscopic scale , nanotechnology , resonant inductive coupling , photochemistry , chemical physics , optoelectronics , fluorescence , atomic physics , condensed matter physics , physics , optics , materials science , ion , organic chemistry
In this microreview we describe the principle of Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) occurring between closely spaced energy‐donor and ‐acceptor molecules. The theoretical treatment is depicted in relation with the data extractable from spectroscopic measurements. We present the specific case of semiconductor nanocrystals (or quantum dots – QDs) as energy donors in FRET experiments and a particular emphasis is put on the specific advantages of these fluorophores with regard to both their exceptional photophysical properties and their nanoscopic morphology. In a following section, the special attributes of luminescent lanthanide complexes (LLCs) are outlined with illustrations of properties such as their characteristic emission spectra, long‐lived luminescence, and large “Stokes shift”. Finally, the successful combination of LLCs and QDs in FRET experiments is demonstrated, showing the unrivaled benefits of this singular marriage, opening doors for energy transfer at very large distances and excellent sensitivity of detection within the frame of time‐resolved fluoroimmunoassays.(© Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2008)