The effect of surface modification on the fluorescence and morphology of CdSe nanoparticles embedded in a 3D phosphazene-based matrix: nanowire-like quantum dots

Abstract

We have synthesized and characterized a new type of emissive nanocomposite material consisting of a 3D inorganic–organic phosphazene-based polymer and CdSe quantum dots (QDs). The materials uniquely combine and inherit the polymers 3D character and the QD fluorescence properties. Furthermore, we have proven that benzidine molecules are suitable surface-modifiers of QDs resulting in fluorescent, nearly spherical QDs arranged into the unique nanowire-like structure. Moreover, the benzidine-to-CdSe energy transfer has been observed which can be further exploited. Characterization of the as-synthesized materials has been performed by using UV-visible and FT-IR absorption spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution-transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence measurements.