Unveiling the internal architecture of Au-Doped CeO2-Quantum Dots Superlattices

Enhancing the fluorescence of colloidal quantum dots (QDs) is a crucial challenge for applications in fields such as bioimaging and disease diagnosis. Building on our previous success in creating a 3D superlattice of cerium oxide quantum dots (CeO2-QDs) that significantly amplified their fluorescence, we propose a novel approach: doping this 3D superlattice with gold nanocrystals (Au-NCs). This innovative strategy aims to further enhance the optical properties by introducing new electronic, magnetic, and luminescent characteristics. To investigate the internal structure and the precise distribution of Au-NCs within the CeO2-QDs superlattice, we propose a small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) study utilizing contrast variation techniques. This will allow us to probe key structural features, including the ligand shell thickness and its influence on superlattice ordering, which is critical for determining the optical behavior of the quantum dots. Preliminary small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) data have shown that Au doping does not disrupt superlattice formation and enhances fluorescence. Our SANS study will provide a more detailed understanding of the spatial arrangement of Au-NCs and their impact on the quantum dot superlattice structure. These findings will pave the way for advanced applications of quantum dots in nanophotonics, catalysis, and beyond.