Skip to main content

Solid-State NMR Characterization of Semiconductor Nanoparticle/Polymer Interfaces


EMSL Project ID
25631

Abstract

Cadmium chalcogenide (CdX; X = S, Se, Te) semiconducting nanoparticles have unique optical, catalytic and energy transfer properties as a result of their nanoscale size diameters. These particles have realized and potential applications in polymer/nanoparticle hybrid photovoltaic cells, as catalysts and in bio-imaging and bio-assaying. CdX nanoparticles have been synthesized within a polymer matrix to both greatly enhance their processability and to keep the particles dispersed. The polymer impacts the structural properties of the nanoparticles, size and morphology, which in turn impacts their physical properties. An understanding of the specific interactions between the polymer and nanoparticles will then aid in understanding how the polymer affects the properties of the nanoparticles. Solid-state NMR experiments are proposed to determine the surface composition and structure of the nanoparticles, the fraction of the polymer interacting with the nanoparticle surface and the structure of the interfacial regions. The initial studies will focus on the application of 1H - X (X = 113Cd, 77Se, 125Te) heteronuclear correlation NMR techniques to probe the interactions between the polymer and nanoparticles. The extent of interaction between the polymer and inorganic phases will be determined by the use of rotational-echo double resonance NMR.

Project Details

Project type
Large-Scale EMSL Research
Start Date
2007-06-10
End Date
2009-09-30
Status
Closed

Team

Principal Investigator

Matthew Espe
Institution
The University of Akron

Team Members

Saida Ortiz
Institution
The University of Akron