TY - JOUR A1 - Grabolle, Markus A1 - Ziegler, J. A1 - Merkulov, A. A1 - Nann, T. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute T1 - Stability and Fluorescence Quantum Yield of CdSe-ZnS Quantum Dots - Influence of the Thickness of the ZnS Shell N2 - We investigated the correlation between the thickness of the ZnS shell of CdSe–ZnS quantum dots (QDs), the stability of the particles, and the fluorescence quantum yield. As a measure for stability, a new shell quality test was developed. This test is based on the reaction of the QDs with photochemically formed thiophenol radicals and communicates an imperfect ZnS shell by a rapid and complete loss of fluorescence. The quantum yield increases from less than 5% for unshelled CdSe up to 50%, with an increase in ZnS shell thickness up to 0.6–0.8 nm. At the same time, the particles become significantly more stable, as revealed by the shell test. KW - Quantum dot KW - Nanocrystal KW - Semiconductor KW - Fluorescence KW - Quantum yield KW - CdSe KW - CdSe-ZnS KW - Shell KW - ZnS shell KW - Stability KW - Stability test PY - 2008 DO - https://doi.org/10.1196/annals.1430.021 SN - 0077-8923 SN - 1749-6632 SN - 0094-8500 VL - 1130 SP - 235 EP - 241 PB - New York Academy of Sciences CY - New York, NY AN - OPUS4-17743 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Grabolle, Markus A1 - Cavaliere-Jaricot, S. A1 - Nitschke, R. A1 - Nann, T. T1 - Quantum dots versus organic dyes as fluorescent labels N2 - Suitable labels are at the core of luminescence and fluorescence imaging and sensing. One of the most exciting, yet also controversial, advances in label technology is the emerging development of quantum dots (QDs)—inorganic nanocrystals with unique optical and chemical properties but complicated surface chemistry—as in vitro and in vivo fluorophores. Here we compare and evaluate the differences in physicochemical properties of common fluorescent labels, focusing on traditional organic dyes and QDs. Our aim is to provide a better understanding of the advantages and limitations of both classes of chromophores, to facilitate label choice and to address future challenges in the rational design and manipulation of QD labels. KW - Fluorescence KW - Label KW - Quantum dot KW - Dye KW - Bioanalysis KW - Quantum yield KW - Multiplexing KW - Lifetime KW - Assay KW - Life sciences KW - FRET KW - Fluorescent reporter PY - 2008 DO - https://doi.org/10.1038/NMETH.1248 SN - 1548-7091 SN - 1548-7105 VL - 5 IS - 9 SP - 763 EP - 775 PB - Nature Publishing Group CY - New York, NY, USA AN - OPUS4-18992 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Grabolle, Markus A1 - Kapusta, P. A1 - Nann, T. A1 - Shu, X. A1 - Ziegler, J. A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute T1 - Fluorescence lifetime multiplexing with nanocrystals and organic labels N2 - The potential of semiconducting nanocrystals or so-called quantum dots (QDs) for lifetime multiplexing has not been investigated yet, despite the increasing use of QDs in (bio)analytical detection, biosensing, and fluorescence imaging and the obvious need for simple and cost-effective tools and strategies for the simultaneous detection of multiple analytes or events. This is most likely related to their multiexponential decay behavior as for multiplex chromophores, typically monoexponential decay kinetics are requested. The fluorescence decay kinetics of various mixtures of a long-lived, multiexponentially decaying CdSe QD and a short-lived organic dye were analyzed, and a model was developed for the quantification of these labels from the measured complex decay kinetics as a first proof-of-concept for the huge potential of these labels for lifetime multiplexing. In a second step, we evaluated the potential of mixtures of two types of QDs, varying in constituent material to realize distinguishable, yet multiexponential decay kinetics and similar absorption and emission spectra. Strategies for lifetime multiplexing with nanocrystalline labels were derived on the basis of these measurements. KW - Multiplexing KW - Lifetime KW - Fluorescence KW - Photoluminescence KW - TCSPC KW - Quantum dot KW - Nanocrystal KW - CdSe KW - InP KW - Organic dye KW - DCM PY - 2009 DO - https://doi.org/10.1021/ac900934a SN - 0003-2700 SN - 1520-6882 VL - 81 IS - 18 SP - 7807 EP - 7813 PB - American Chemical Society CY - Washington, DC AN - OPUS4-20279 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - GEN A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Grabolle, Markus A1 - Nitschke, R. A1 - Nann, T. ED - Demchenko, A.P. T1 - Nanocrystals and nanoparticles versus molecular fluorescent labels as reporters for bioanalysis and the life sciences: a critical comparison N2 - At the core of photoluminescence techniques are suitable fluorescent labels and reporters, the spectroscopic properties of which control the limit of detection, the dynamic range, and the potential for multiplexing. Many applications including recent developments in intracellular labeling rely on well established molecular chromophores such as small organic dyes or fluorescent proteins. However, one of the most exciting – but also controversial – advances in reporter technology, the emerging development and application of luminescent nanoparticles with unique optical properties, yet complicated surface chemistry paves new roads for fluorescence imaging and sensing as well as for in vitro and in vivo labeling. Here, we compare and evaluate the differences in physico-chemical properties of common fluorophores, focusing on traditional organic dyes and luminescent nanocrystals with size-dependent features. The ultimate goal is to provide a better understanding of the advantages and limitations of both classes of chromophores, facilitate fluorophore choice for users of fluorescence techniques, and address future challenges in the rational design and manipulation of nanoparticulate labels and probes. KW - Amplification KW - Fluorescent reporter KW - Fluorophore KW - FRET KW - In vitro KW - In vivo KW - Labeling KW - Lanthanide chelate KW - Multiplexing KW - Nanoparticle KW - Quantum dot KW - Transition metal complex PY - 2010 SN - 978-3-642-04699-5 DO - https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-04701-5_1 N1 - Serientitel: Springer Series on Fluorescence – Series title: Springer Series on Fluorescence VL - 9 IS - 1 SP - 3 EP - 40 PB - Springer AN - OPUS4-22186 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Leiterer, Jork A1 - Grabolle, Markus A1 - Rurack, Knut A1 - Resch-Genger, Ute A1 - Ziegler, J. A1 - Nann, T. A1 - Panne, Ulrich T1 - Acoustically Levitated Droplets - A Contactless Sampling Method for Fluorescence Studies N2 - Acoustic levitation is used as a newtool to study concentration-dependent processes influorescence spectroscopy. With this technique, small amounts of liquid and solid samples can be measured without the need for sample supports or containers, which often limits signal acquisition and can even alter sample properties due to interactions with the support material. We demonstrate that, because of the small sample volume, fluorescence measurements at high concentrations of an organic dye are possible without the limitation of inner-filter effects, which hamper such experiments in conventional, cuvette-based measurements. Furthermore, we show that acoustic levitation of liquid samples provides an experimentally simple way to study distance-dependent fluorescence modulations in semiconductor nanocrystals. The evaporation of the solvent during levitation leads to a continuous increase of solute concentration and can easily be monitored by laser-induced fluorescence. KW - Acoustic levitation KW - Dyes KW - Energy transfer KW - Fluorescence KW - Quantum dots KW - Nanocrystals KW - Ultrasonic trap PY - 2008 DO - https://doi.org/10.1196/annals.1430.039 SN - 0077-8923 SN - 1749-6632 SN - 0094-8500 VL - 1130 SP - 78 EP - 84 PB - New York Academy of Sciences CY - New York, NY AN - OPUS4-17658 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -