Peptide-mediated surface-immobilized quantum dot hybrid nanoassemblies with controlled photoluminescence

Combinatorially selected peptides and peptide-organic conjugates were used as linkers with controlled structural and organizational conformations to attach quantum dots (QDs) at addressable distances from a metal surface. This study demonstrates an approach towards nanophotonics by integrating inorganic, organic, and biological constructs to form hybrid nanoassemblies through template-directed self-assembly. Peptide-organic-linked QD arrays showed stronger fluorescence than peptide-linked QD arrays. We attribute this difference primarily to the increased number density of QDs on peptide-organic-linked QD arrays.