Influence of 3D aggregation on the photoluminescence dynamics of CdSe quantum dot films

Thin films of semiconductor CdSe quantum dots, QDs, directly deposited onto quartz as well as onto a Langmuir-Blodgett film of the Gemini surfactant ethyl-bis (dimethyl octadecyl ammonium bromide have been prepared and their photoluminescence properties were characterized by confocal fluorescence lifetime microscopy. 3D aggregates of QDs were observed in QD films directly deposited onto the solid while the Gemini surfactant film avoids the 3D aggregation. The photoluminescence decay analysis was performed by a phenomenological model previously proposed by us which considers that the luminescence dynamics is affected by energy transport and trapping processes and the relative contribution of these processes depends on film morphology. Thus, in the non-aggregated and more homogeneous QD films, QDs deposited onto the surfactant, the relative contribution of the energy transport process increases with trap concentration while 3D aggregation favors the energy transport even at low density of energy traps. - Highlights: • Photoluminescence dynamics of QDs films. • Photoluminescence response related to energy transport and trapping processes. • Dependence of photoluminescence dynamics on film morphology.