Chemical sensitivity of InP/In_0.48Ga_0.52P surface quantum dots studied by time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy

InP/InGaP surface quantum dots represent an attractive material for optical chemical sensors since they show a remarkable near infra-red emission at room temperature, whose intensity increases rapidly and reversibly depending on the composition of the environmental atmosphere. We show here their emission properties by time resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy investigation. Photoluminescence transients with and without chemical solvent vapours (methanol, clorophorm, acetone and water) were fitted with a 3-exponential decay law with times of about 0.5 ns, 2 ns and 7 ns. The measurements revealed a weak effect on clorophorm, acetone and water, while the initial decay time of InP surface quantum dots increases (up to 15%) upon methanol vapour exposure, indicating that the organic molecules efficiently saturate QD non-radiative surface states. - Highlights: • InP SQDs emission depends on the presence of solvent vapours in the atmosphere. • TR photoluminescence transients were fitted with a 3-exponential decay law. • The initial decay time increases (up to 15%) upon methanol vapour exposure. • Organic molecules efficiently saturate QD non-radiative surface states.