Tunable electron transfer rate in a CdSe/ZnS-based complex with different anthraquinone chloride substitutes

We use femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy to study ultrafast electron transfer (ET) dynamics in a model donor and acceptor system using CdSe/ZnS core/shell structure quantum dots (QDs) as donors and anthraquinone (AQ) molecules as acceptors. The ET rate can be enhanced by decreasing the number of chlorine substituents in the AQ molecules because that increases the driving force, which is the energy level offset between the conduction band energy of CdSe/ZnS and the lowest upper molecular orbital potential of AQ derivatives, as confirmed by cyclic voltammetry measurements. However, the electronic coupling between the QDs and AQ derivatives, and the sum of reorganization energy of AQ molecules and solvent calculated by density functional theory are not the main reasons for the change in ET rate in three systems. Our findings provide new insights into selecting an acceptor molecule and will be useful in tuning ET processes for advanced QD-based applications.