Quantum dots are small semiconductors that range only a few nanometers in size. Core shell quantum dots are composed of a semiconducting core of one material and a semiconducting shell of another material. A potential application of core shell quantum dots is the use in photocatalysis due to their ability to transfer charges. One material studied today for photocatalysis is a Zinc Selenide/Cadmium Sulfide (ZnSe/CdS) nanorod tipped with Platinum (Pt). However, the nanocomposite cannot efficiently separate charges, and is inefficient when more than one electron is needed for catalysis. Here we present a more efficient nanocomposite that can separate charges and hold more than one electron for catalysis. To do this, we used CdSe/CdS core/shell quantum dots of different sizes because different sizes have different band gaps and therefore different energies, which can be useful when trying to separate charges since electrons will move to quantum dots of higher energy levels. This is useful because separated electrons can be used for catalysis. Through our experiments we found quenching in emission as well as emission lifetime after coalescence of core shell quantum dots. This is evidence that recombination may not be occurring with the electron and hole when they are excited.

Coalescence of CdSe/CdS core/shell quantum dots

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.