Synthesis and characterization of AgInS2-ZnS heterodimers with tunable photoluminescence

AgInS2-ZnS nanoparticles with well-defined heterodimer structures were synthesized using a hot injection method. The emission spectra of the obtained heterodimers under UV excitation could be tuned by controlling the diffusion of Zn in AgInS2. The ZnS component in the heterodimers played an important role in improving quantum yield. The obtained heterodimers demonstrated two photon fluorescence properties. The cell imaging applications of the obtained heterodimers excited by either UV or infrared were demonstrated.