Title: Synthesis of CdSe quantum dots in PVA matrix by radiolytic methods

Authors: Jayashree Biswal, Shalini Singh, M.C. Rath, S.P. Ramnani, S.K. Sarkar, S. Sabharwal

Addresses: Radiation Technology Development Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400 085, India. ' Radiation and Photochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400 085, India. ' Radiation and Photochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400 085, India. ' Radiation Technology Development Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400 085, India. ' Radiation and Photochemistry Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Mumbai 400 085, India. ' Radiation Technology Development Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, Trombay, Mumbai 400 085, India

Abstract: Polymer films of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) containing CdSe quantum dots of various sizes from 3 nm to 5 nm have been synthesised by the radiation-chemical route using CdSO₄ and Na₂SeSO₃ as the starting materials under a reducing condition. 2 MeV electron beam from an electron accelerator and the gamma radiation from a cobalt-60 gamma chamber were used as the irradiation sources for the syntheses. The particle sizes were small in the case of electron beam irradiation as compared to those in the case of the gamma irradiation. The sizes of the quantum dots were strongly dependent on the absorbed dose rate and the initial precursor concentrations. The CdSe quantum dots exhibit excitonic absorption at room temperature. The films containing these quantum dots were quite stable for months.

Keywords: CdSe quantum dots; PVA; polyvinyl alcohol; radiolytic methods; electron beam irradiation; gamma irradiation; gamma radiolysis; thin films; nanotechnology; cadmium selenide; polymer films.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNT.2010.034706

International Journal of Nanotechnology, 2010 Vol.7 No.9/10/11/12, pp.1013 - 1026

Published online: 17 Aug 2010 *

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