Analysis of shape and dimensionality effects on fluorescence resonance energy transfer from nanocrystals to multiple acceptors

The dynamic process of energy transfer from semiconductor nanocrystals acting as donors to multiple acceptors attached to their surface emerges as an important tool for probing the nanoparticle environment in the nanometric scale. Understanding the underlying principles which govern the dynamics of the energy transfer process, and in particular the role of the shape and dimensions of the nanocrystal in determining it, is crucial for utilizing it for a range of applications including sensing, biolabeling, and energy funneling. We describe and theoretically analyze the temporal behavior of energy transfer from core/shell spherical dot, dot in a rod, and dot in a pod nanocrystals to multiple acceptors linked to their surface. Using a modified restricted geometries model, we evaluate the different parameters which affect the energy transfer and demonstrate the role of the nanocrystal geometry and dimensions in determining the dynamics of the energy transfer process. The modeled dynamics show good agreement to experimental data measured for spherical and dot in a rod nanocrystals. The results obtained from the model indicate that energy transfer may be used for extracting the dimensions and dimensionalities of nanocrystals and for probing real-time processes in the ensemble level, which are relevant for characterization and sensing applications.