Thin Layer of Semiconductor Plasmonic Nanocrystals for the Enhancement of NIR Fluorophores

Semiconductor plasmonic nanocrystals (PNCs) are a novel class of materials for near-infrared (NIR) plasmonics possessing strong and tunable localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs). In this work, we used PNCs to fabricate an active substrate for the enhancement of optical responses from near-infrared emitters: a thin film of PNCs in poly­(vinyl alcohol). This film supports LSPR and can be utilized to enhance the optical absorption, emission, and scattering in the NIR spectral region. PbS quantum dots deposited onto the fabricated active substrate demonstrate a 3-fold amplification of the integrated photoluminescence (PL) intensity. The possible mechanisms leading to the change in the PL parameters are discussed.