Assessing Optical and Electronic Behaviors in Transition-Metal Dichalcogenide Quantum Dots through Structural Modification of Acceptors

The excellent optoelectronic properties of transition-metal dichalcogenide quantum dots (TMD-QDs) render them useful for perspective applications in disciplines like photonics, sensors, electronics, and photovoltaics. This urges meticulous studies of the underlying mechanism of charge transfer (CT) and carrier transport in TMD-QD-based devices. Herein, we investigate the variation of CT kinetics among TMD-QDs and redox-active quinones with the intervening surrounding, encapsulation, nature of the surfactant, and structure of different quinones. With quinones, (p-benzoquinone (BZQ), naphthoquinone, and menadione (MQ)), steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic measurements indicate a higher CT efficiency from TMD-QDs to BZQ in water, which enhances MQ in encapsulated cetyltrimethylammonium bromide micelles. This highlights the role of the medium in modulating CT kinetics for TMD-QDs. Charge transport in TMD-QDs with quinones measured from conducting probe atomic force microscopy reflects a stark agreement with the spectroscopic results, resembling alteration in their immediate local conductance.