Anionic polymerization by an electron transfer process from a CdSe quantum dot–perylenediimide (PDI) system

Abstract

Reversible physical interactions between CdSe quantum dots (QDs) and perylenediimide (PDI) derivatives have been investigated. Original processes, dependent on the concentration of the two species, contact time, temperature and pH, were observed. The combining of the two solutions resulted in the formation of an electron transfer complex (ETC) due to the transfer of an electron from CdSe nanoparticles to PDI, followed by the formation of the final particularly stable dianion PDI²⁻ species through another electron transfer process. The anionic species was employed for the polymerization initiation of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA). Some aspects of the anionic polymerization mechanism have been investigated.