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

埃默里大学的Tianquan（Tim）Lian教授得到了化学系大分子，超分子和纳米化学（MSN）计划的支持，开发了一种新技术，用于使用集成原子力（AFM）和单分子（粒子）荧光光谱成像纳米材料中的电荷转移相互作用。通过将电子供体或受体附着在AFM针尖上，可以通过AFM控制供体和受体之间的空间排列和相互作用，而它们的电荷转移相互作用和动力学可以同时使用单分子荧光光谱法进行跟踪。因此，本研究有望为研究许多给体-受体复合物中的电荷转移相互作用和动力学提供一种新的和通用的方法，这对于纳米材料尤其重要，因为纳米材料的尺寸分布不均匀，形状和相互作用。拟议的研究将导致更好地了解电荷转移过程的纳米结构（量子点和量子棒），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，拟议的研究还提供了机会，扩大代表性不足的少数民族学生的参与，通过与亚特兰大大学中心的教师，本科研究项目共同主办的埃默里科学教育中心，和格鲁吉亚实习教师奖学金（GIFT）计划的研究合作。

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.