Self-assembly and alignment of semiconductor nanoparticles on cellulose nanocrystals

Sonal Padalkar, Purdue University
Jeff Capadona, Louis Stokes
Stuart Rowan, Case Western Reserve University
Christoph Weder, Case Western Reserve University
Robert Moon, Purdue University
L Stanciu, Birck Nanotechnology Center and School of Materials Engineering, Purdue University

Abstract

The synthesis of cadmium sulfide (CdS), zinc sulfide (ZnS), and lead sulfide (PbS) nanoparticle chains on cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) templates can be accomplished by the reaction of the precursor salts. The use of a cationic surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), was critical for the synthesis of well-defined semiconductor nanoparticle chains on the surface of the CNCs. The semiconductor nanoparticle particle size and packing density on CNC surface could be controlled by the variation of the precursor concentration and the pH of the salt solution.

Discipline(s)

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology