Forster Resonance Energy Transfer in Quantum Dot-Dye-Loaded Zeolite L Nanoassemblies

Nanoassemblies formed by coating a dye-loaded zeolite L surface with CdSe/ZnS core/shell quantum dots (QDs) is described. A photoinduced energy transfer is observed from the excited QDs, which are on the surface of the zeolite crystals, to dye molecules (energy acceptors) encapsulated and aligned in the 1D channels of the aluminosilicate host. Steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopy and microscopy are used to quantify the Forster resonance energy transfer occurring through electronic transition dipole interactions between the QDs and the oxonine-loaded zeolite L crystals. For the first time the energy transfer in artificial antenna systems based on quantum dots and molecules hosted in inert systems is described.