Carbon supported CdSe nanocrystals

TL;DR

This paper investigates the mechanisms of CdSe nanocrystal attachment to carbon nanotubes and graphene, highlighting the roles of water, halogens, and surface facets in the process.

Contribution

It provides new insights into controlling nanoparticle attachment and shape transformation on carbon nanostructures using the hot injection method.

Findings

Water enhances nanotube coverage

Cl media induce shape transformation

Mechanism involves surface passivation and crystallographic facets

Abstract

Insights to the mechanism of CdSe nanoparticle attachment to carbon nanotubes following the hot injection method are discussed. It was observed that the presence of water improves the nanotube coverage while Cl containing media are responsible for the shape transformation of the nanoparticles and further attachment to the carbon lattice. The experiments also show that the mechanism taking place involves the right balance of several factors, namely, low passivated nanoparticle surface, particles with well-defined crystallographic facets, and interaction with an organics-free sp2 carbon lattice. Furthermore, this procedure can be extended to cover graphene by quantum dots.