Study of energy transfer phenomenon between quantum dots and zinc porphyrin in solution

•FRET from CdSxSe1 − x/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) to zinc porphyrin (1) is observed.•Significant reduction in life-time value of QDs is noted in presence of 1.•Co-existence of energy transfer and surface passivation mechanism is observed for QDs/1 system.•Possible application of QDs/1 system as light-harvesting devices in near future

The mechanism of energy transfer (ET) phenomenon from the excited CdSxSe1 − x/ZnS alloyed quantum dots (QDs) to 2,3,7,8,12,13,17,18-Octaethyl-21H,23H-porphine zinc(II) (1) molecule is investigated in solution through Förster resonance energy transfer (FRET) calculations, photoluminescence intensity measurements and lifetime quenching experiments. The process of ET from the excited QDs to 1 in toluene is established by FRET calculations. ET efficiency in QDs/1 complex is regulated by surface passivation and ultrafast quenching mechanism. We propose that CdSxSe1 − x/ZnS alloyed quantum dots may be suitably employed as an efficient energy transfer donor for zinc-porphyrin for possible application in light harvesting devices.

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