Synthesis of CdS Nanoparticles in Solution and in a Polyphosphazene Matrix

Michael A. Olshavsky, Harry R. Allcock

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79 Scopus citations

Abstract

The synthesis and characterization of a polymer composite system containing quantum-confined II-VI semiconductor particles entrapped in a polyphosphazene network is discussed. A hybrid material was constructed using a guest:host approach in which the ion transporting ability of [NP(OCH2CH2OCH2CH2OCH 3)2]n (MEEP) and MEEP-like polymers was exploited to allow the formation of matrix-encapsulated, nanometer-sized CdS particles. As a first step, a cadmium thioglycolate precursor [Cd10(SCH2CH2OH)16](NO 3)4 was found to react in solution to generate stable, soluble, CdS particles. These particles were characterized and found to be 25 Å in diameter. They exhibited an absorption at 362 nm, which was blue-shifted relative to the absorption of bulk CdS. This indicates a quantum confinement effect associated with nanometer-size particles. Second, a method was developed for the incorporation of CdS particles into a cross-linked polyphosphazene-based polymer network, and CdS particles were successfully grown within these polymer films. The CdS-containing polyphosphazene films were transparent and homogeneous. However, no significant control was achieved over the particle size dispersity. The polymer-encapsulated particles were larger than the solution-synthesized ones, with an average diameter of 70 Å diameter. They demonstrated a correspondingly smaller blue shift in the absorption spectrum, with an absorption at 470 nm. The morphology of these particles was examined.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1367-1376
Number of pages10
JournalChemistry of Materials
Volume9
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1997

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Chemistry
  • General Chemical Engineering
  • Materials Chemistry

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