Fluorescence quenching of quantum dots by gold nanorods and its application to DNA detection

Abstract

Gold nanorods (GNRs) with different localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) peaks and different thicknesses of polymer-coating were synthesized to validate that the distinct GNR-based quenching process of quantum dot (QD) emission follows the metal surface energy transfer theory. The quenching efficiency is directly related to the spectral overlap of GNR-LSPR absorption and QD-emission, as well as the separation distance between the two nanoparticles. GNRs are advantageous for DNA conjugation, and the high efficiency of GNR-QD quenching system was utilized for sensitive DNA detection.