New hybrid nanoparticle structures resulting from the marriage of two different nanomaterials on the same particle are of interest for their synergistic properties. The copper sulfide and mixed copper sulfide semiconductors are excellent candidates as strongly absorbing and non-toxic nanoparticle photoabsorbers with tunable bandgaps. They present unique synthetic challenges for functional hybrid preparation in obtaining composition, size and shape control and the use of tightly binding capping ligands, which prevent exchange and surface functionalization. Metal-semiconductor hybrid nanoparticles of CuInS2 and Cu2S were prepared in organic solvents in a two-step process. Through rational synthetic design and carefully chosen capping ligands during synthesis, the hybrids can then later readily transferred to water. Water solubility provides a key step towards using such structures in water phase photocatalysis and in biological sensing and therapeutic applications.

Hybrid nanoparticles of the copper chalcogenides

244th National Meeting (2012)

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