Photoluminescent MoS2 quantum dots surrounded by nucleotides: an experimental and theoretical study

V. A. Karachevtsev, N. V. Kurnosov, S. G. Stepanian, I. M. Voloshin, O. S. Lytvyn, A. M. Plokhotnichenko, L. Adamowicz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

In recent years, the use of biomolecules as dispersants for the preparation of 2D nanomaterials by direct liquid-phase exfoliation (LPE) using ultrasonication has attracted increasing attention as a convenient and cost-effective approach to ensure simultaneously the biocompatibility of these nanostructures. In this work, we prepare MoS2 quantum dots (QDs) by the LPE method using deoxyadenosine monophosphate (dAMP) as an exfoliation agent that provides a good biocompatibility of the QDs too. As a result, a visible-range photoluminescence from MoS2 QDs surrounded by nucleotides is observed for the first time. Different structures of MoS2 QDs with dAMP are analyzed employing the DFT calculations. It is shown that dAMP can form coordination bonds with the Mo atoms located at the QD edges or at the defect sites where direct contacts with these atoms can occur. The covalent bonds facilitate strong adsorption of dAMP on a MoS2 QD. The structural flexibility of the nucleotide adsorbed on the MoS2 QD enables a combination of noncovalent stacking interaction of the nucleobase and a coordination bond of the phosphate group with the Mo atoms located at the edges to occur. This leads to the formation of a very energetically stable complex. Graphical abstract: (Figure presented.)

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number236
JournalJournal of Nanoparticle Research
Volume26
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2024

Keywords

  • DFT calculations
  • Liquid-phase exfoliation
  • MoS defects
  • MoS quantum dots
  • Nucleotides
  • Photoluminescence
  • Two-dimensional nanostructures

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Bioengineering
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
  • General Chemistry
  • Modeling and Simulation
  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Photoluminescent MoS2 quantum dots surrounded by nucleotides: an experimental and theoretical study'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this