Photoluminescence intermittency in single CdSe nanoparticles: Environment dependence

We report that photoluminescence (PL) intermittency properties of single CdSe semiconductor nanoparticles at room temperature are sensitive to local environments around nanoparticles. The PL intermittency behaviors depend on ambient gas (N2 or air) and substrate material (glass or Au). Blueshift of the PL peak energy is observed on glass and Au surfaces during photodegradation in air. The mechanism of the PL intermittency of single CdSe nanoparticles is discussed.