Silicon Nanocrystals Functionalized with Photoactive\nUnits for Dual-Potential Electrochemiluminescence

Abstract

Silicon nanocrystals (SiNCs) have\nattracted attention due to their\nunique properties that render them particularly suitable for a high\nvariety of applications, such as electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensors.\nHowever, the electrochemiluminescence of SiNCs has not been investigated\nin depth so far and the research has been focused on conventional\nquantum dots composed of toxic or rare materials. Here, we investigate\nthe ECL properties of heterosupramolecular systems based on organic\nchromophores (diphenylanthracene, DPA) linked to the SiNC’s\nsurface. The optical properties of the nanocrystal are affected by\nthe presence of the chromophores; their ECL behaviors are independent\nof each other, generating hybrid systems characterized by dual-potential\nelectrochemiluminescence. These nanoparticles can be used as single\nsystems with tunable dual-potential emissions; ECL signals can be\nvaried with the type of the attached chromophore.