Simone Bertucci, Davide Piccinotti, Mauro Garbarino, Andrea Escher, Gianluca Bravetti, Christoph Weder, Paola Lova, Davide Comoretto, Ullrich Steiner, Francesco Di Stasio, Andrea Dodero
{"title":"One-pot synthesis of photonic microparticles doped with light-emitting quantum dots","authors":"Simone Bertucci, Davide Piccinotti, Mauro Garbarino, Andrea Escher, Gianluca Bravetti, Christoph Weder, Paola Lova, Davide Comoretto, Ullrich Steiner, Francesco Di Stasio, Andrea Dodero","doi":"10.1039/d5nr00216h","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) display size-dependent, tunable optical properties that render them useful in a wide range of technological applications. However, the integration of QDs into structured materials remains a significant challenge due to their susceptibility to degradation under chemical or physical perturbations. Here, we present a facile, scalable, one-pot co-assembly strategy to embed commercially available CdSe/ZnS core-shell quantum dots into photonic microparticles via the confined self-assembly of poly(styrene)-b-poly(2-vinylpyridine) block copolymer in emulsion droplets. The resulting hybrid particles exhibit a well-defined concentric lamellar structure, and the quantum dots are selectively incorporated into the domains formed by the poly(2-vinylpyridine) blocks. This design enables two different optical responses, i.e., vivid, non-iridescent structural coloration from photonic bandgap effects and stable engineered photoluminescence from the embedded QDs. The use of swelling agents provides an effective means to tune the photonic bandgap spectral position, extending the optical range to the entire visible region. Optical experiments reveal a subtle interplay between the photonic structure and QD emission, and the emission properties remain intact, despite variations in structural periodicity and matrix refractive index. This work highlights a robust platform for the integration of functional nanomaterials into photonic architectures, offering significant potential for applications in advanced light sources, displays, and sensing technologies. The simplicity of the approach, combined with its scalability, sets the stage for future exploration into hybrid photonic materials with tailored optical properties.","PeriodicalId":92,"journal":{"name":"Nanoscale","volume":"183 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":5.8000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Nanoscale","FirstCategoryId":"88","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1039/d5nr00216h","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"CHEMISTRY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) display size-dependent, tunable optical properties that render them useful in a wide range of technological applications. However, the integration of QDs into structured materials remains a significant challenge due to their susceptibility to degradation under chemical or physical perturbations. Here, we present a facile, scalable, one-pot co-assembly strategy to embed commercially available CdSe/ZnS core-shell quantum dots into photonic microparticles via the confined self-assembly of poly(styrene)-b-poly(2-vinylpyridine) block copolymer in emulsion droplets. The resulting hybrid particles exhibit a well-defined concentric lamellar structure, and the quantum dots are selectively incorporated into the domains formed by the poly(2-vinylpyridine) blocks. This design enables two different optical responses, i.e., vivid, non-iridescent structural coloration from photonic bandgap effects and stable engineered photoluminescence from the embedded QDs. The use of swelling agents provides an effective means to tune the photonic bandgap spectral position, extending the optical range to the entire visible region. Optical experiments reveal a subtle interplay between the photonic structure and QD emission, and the emission properties remain intact, despite variations in structural periodicity and matrix refractive index. This work highlights a robust platform for the integration of functional nanomaterials into photonic architectures, offering significant potential for applications in advanced light sources, displays, and sensing technologies. The simplicity of the approach, combined with its scalability, sets the stage for future exploration into hybrid photonic materials with tailored optical properties.
期刊介绍:
Nanoscale is a high-impact international journal, publishing high-quality research across nanoscience and nanotechnology. Nanoscale publishes a full mix of research articles on experimental and theoretical work, including reviews, communications, and full papers.Highly interdisciplinary, this journal appeals to scientists, researchers and professionals interested in nanoscience and nanotechnology, quantum materials and quantum technology, including the areas of physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, materials, energy/environment, information technology, detection science, healthcare and drug discovery, and electronics.