Probing Charge Transfer Dynamics in Single QD-Molecule Complexes Using QD or Molecule Modified AFM Tips

埃默里大学(Emory University)连天全(Tim Lian)教授在化学系高分子、超分子和纳米化学(MSN)计划的支持下，开发了一种使用集成原子力(AFM)和单分子(粒子)荧光光谱来成像纳米材料中电荷转移相互作用的新技术。通过在原子力显微镜针尖上附着电子供体或受体，AFM可以控制供体和受体之间的空间排列和相互作用，而单分子荧光光谱可以同时跟踪它们之间的电荷转移相互作用和动力学。因此，本研究有望为研究许多给体-受体复合体中的电荷转移相互作用和动力学提供一种新的通用方法，这对纳米材料尤其重要，因为纳米材料的尺寸、形状和相互作用是不均匀分布的。本研究将有助于更好地理解纳米结构(量子点和量子棒)的电荷转移过程，并为这些材料的改进及其在太阳能转换技术中的应用提供指导。除了博士后研究员、研究生和本科生的培训外，拟议的研究还提供了机会，通过与亚特兰大大学中心教职员工的研究合作、由埃默里科学教育中心共同发起的本科生研究项目以及佐治亚州实习生教师奖学金(GIFT)计划，扩大未被充分代表的少数族裔学生的参与。

Professor Tianquan (Tim) Lian of Emory University is supported by the Macromolecular, Supramolecular, and Nanochemistry (MSN) Program in the Division of Chemistry to develop a new technique for imaging charge transfer interactions in nanomaterials using integrated atomic force (AFM) and single molecule (particle) fluorescence spectroscopy. By attaching electron donors or acceptors on AFM tips, the spatial arrangement and interaction between the donor and acceptors can be controlled by AFM, while their charge transfer interaction and dynamics can be followed simultaneously using single molecule fluorescence spectroscopy. Therefore, this research is expected to offer a new and general approach for studying charge transfer interaction and dynamics in many donor-acceptor complexes, which is particularly important for nanomaterials because of the heterogeneous distributions of sizes, shapes and interactions.The proposed study will lead to a better understanding of charge transfer processes from nanostructures (quantum dots and quantum rod) and provide guidance for the improvement of these materials and their applications in solar energy conversion technology. In addition to the training of postdoctoral fellows, graduate students and undergraduate students, the proposed research also offers the opportunity to broaden the participation of under-represented minority students through research collaborations with faculty in the Atlanta University Center, undergraduate research programs co-sponsored by the Emory Center of Science Education, and the Georgia Intern-Fellowships for Teachers (GIFT) program.