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

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.