Simple Förster resonance energy transfer evidence for the ultrahigh quantum dot quenching efficiency by graphene oxide compared to other carbon structures

Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) entails the transfer of energy from a photoexcited energy donor to a close energy acceptor. In this regard, quantum dots (QDs), as donors, are quenched when they are next to an acceptor material. Graphite, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and graphene oxide (GO) were explored as energy acceptors of QD FRET donors in the solid phase. In our setup, the higher estimated values of quenching efficiency for each material are as follows: graphite, 66 ± 17%; CNTs, 71 ± 1%; CNFs, 74 ± 07% and GO, 97 ± 1%. Among these materials, GO is the best acceptor of QD FRET donors in the solid phase. Such an ultrahigh quenching efficiency by GO and the proposed simple mechanism may open the way to several interesting applications in the field of biosensing.