FRET system based on composites of zinc oxide tetrapods and carbon dots

Composites based on nanomaterials are becoming more popular, especially for the creation of Forster Resonant Energy Transfer systems. Here, well-established zinc oxide tetrapods and a new carbon dot material were used to create a hybrid composite. The influence of the alkalinity of the medium on the formation of the composite was studied. The morphology and optical properties were studied in detail to confirm the formation of the composite. The measurement of photoluminescence lifetimes of carbon dots/zinc oxide tetrapods composites demonstrated nonradiative energy transfer. The efficiency of Forster Resonant Energy Transfer was theoretically calculated and the rate constants of this process, as well as reabsorption, were found. Consequently, the new composite based on carbon dots and zinc oxide tetrapods can find many applications, for example, in optical sensors.