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Nanodiamonds with crystal defects have gained increasing importance in biological and chemical applications [1]. Most prominent are fluorescent nanodiamonds (FNDs) with nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers due to their unique properties such as high photostability, chemical inertness and sensitivity towards magnetic and electric fields [2,3]. These properties make them highly suitable for the in-situ detection of paramagnetic species, such as free radicals, in chemical reactions [1,3,4]. This detection is enabled by NV center-based, microwave-free T1 relaxometry measurements, which are sensitive to magnetic fluctuations [1,4].
These FNDs with NV centers and their properties can be utilised in the increasingly important field of photocatalytic chemistry. Photocatalysis is emerging as a key option in the ongoing energy transition from fossil fuels towards more sustainable energy sources [3]. However, the material composition, efficiency and possible intermediates are not yet sufficiently well understood to enable photocatalysis to be implemented on a large scale in practical applications [3]. With the use of FNDs with NV centres for in-situ analysis of paramagnetic intermediates it is intended to gain a more profound understanding of photocatalytic reactions.
In this study, the photocatalytic reaction between cadmium selenide/cadmium sulfide nanorods (CdSe/CdS NR) with methyl viologen (MV) was investigated by means of NV center-based T1 relaxometry measurements.
References
[1] R. Schirhagl, ACS Sensors 5, 3862 (2020)
[2] C. L. Degen, Annu. Rev. Phys. Chem. 65, 83 (2014)
[3] A. E. Lanterna, Adv. Func. Mat., e76935 (2026)
[4] D. A. Simpson, Phys. Rev. Applied 20, 034018 (2023)
