Optical and Electronic Properties of CdTe Quantum Dots in their Freezed Solid Matrix Phase and Solution Phase

TL;DR

This study compares the optical and electronic properties of CdTe quantum dots in solid PVA matrix and solution, highlighting size differences, band gap, and luminescence for potential optoelectronic applications.

Contribution

It provides new insights into the size, band gap, and luminescence of CdTe QDs in solid versus solution phases, demonstrating their suitability for sensors.

Findings

Smaller size (~6 nm) of QDs in solid PVA matrix.

Higher band gap (~9.5 eV) in solid phase.

Enhanced luminescence in solid form.

Abstract

The present work deals with the comparison of sizes, optical and electronic properties of COOH functionalized CdTe quantum dots (QDs) in freezed solid polymeric (polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix and in solution phase (water). PVA has been chosen as host material for guest CdTe QDs because of its unique properties like hydrophilicity, good thermo stability, and easy process ability. Experimental absorption, emission, X-Ray diffraction spectra and electronic band gap have been studied by UV-Vis absorption, luminescence and X-Ray diffraction spectroscopy. The smaller size of CdTe QDs in solid PVA polymer matrix (~ 6 nm) and larger band gap of ~9.5 eV validates their quantum confinement regime in freezed solid phase. The smaller particle size in solid phase compared to that of the particle size in its solution phase (8 nm) validates the non existence of agglomeration in solid phase. Appearance of high intense and wide luminescence emission in solid form proves the strong candidature of CdTe QDs as promising sensors for today's optoelectronic and biomedical industry.