Light-activated systems have attracted attention in the scientific community due to the advantages of triggering reactions in a controllable, efficient and economical approach. In this way, semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum dots, QDs) such as core-QDs (CdSe or CdTe) and core-shell QDs (CdSe/ZnS, CdSe/CdS) are excellent candidates for light-activated systems due to their size-dependent emissive properties. Incorporation of QDs in supramolecular materials such organogels with low molecular weight showed interesting synergic effect that could have potential applications in the preparation of optoelectronic devices and sensors. Moreover, the addition of a photochromic activator/quencher (diarylethene derivatives) to the system was an effective methodology to modulate the light-emitting properties of QDs.
Furthermore, light-activated systems have important applications as photocatalysts. The design of the photocatalyst is the key step in the development of a sustainable catalytic reaction. The attachment of specific ligands in the nanocrystal surface strongly affects their properties and colloidal stability in different media.2 In this contribution, examples of photooxidations using different nanoparticles and light sources will be also discussed.
