Pressure-Modulated Energy Transfer Dynamics in Mn²⁺-Doped CdS/ZnS Core/Shell Quantum Dots

Transition metal doping in semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) significantly impacts their optical properties, thus expanding the range of their potential optoelectronic applications. This study investigates the pressure-dependent energy transfer dynamics in Mn²⁺-doped CdS/ZnS core/shell QDs, focusing on how external hydrostatic pressure modulates these dynamics and optical properties. By synthesizing Mn²⁺-doped QDs with varying Mn²⁺ doping concentrations, we explore the effects of the pressure on photoluminescence (PL) spectra and energy transfer efficiency. Our study reveals that increasing pressure induces a blueshift in the QD host bandgap PL and a redshift in the Mn²⁺ dopant PL. The pressure-induced shifts highlight a unique modulation mechanism where the energy transfer efficiency decreases with pressure due to reduced wave function overlap between host excitons and Mn²⁺ dopants. Detailed analysis of the PL quantum yields and energy transfer rate constants provides insights into these dynamics, suggesting that the pressure can effectively and reversibly regulate the energy transfer efficiencies and rates. These results have implications for developing pressure-sensitive configurable devices and exploring pressure-induced phenomena in doped nanomaterials.