CdSe nanocrystals ingrained dielectric nanocomposites: synthesis and photoluminescence properties

Cadmium selenide (CdSe) nanocrystals ingrained dielectric nanocomposites in a B₂O₃–SiO₂–Al₂O₃–Na₂O–K₂O borosilicate glass system were synthesized by a single step in situ melt quenching technique. The sizes of the nanocrystals as well as the band gap of the nanocomposites were controlled by both concentration of CdSe and post thermal treatment duration. The nanocomposites were characterized by different instrumental techniques including detailed photoluminescence studies. The sizes of the CdSe nanocrystals were found to alter in the range 4–16 nm as estimated from the effective mass approximation model and optical absorption spectroscopy. However, the TEM analysis revealed the generation of two different size ranges, 3–4 and 23–45 nm, of the particles within the dielectric matrix. Selected area diffraction (SAED) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns authenticate the formation of hexagonal nanostructures of CdSe. These nanocomposites were found to be capable of exhibiting strong visible red luminescence around 715 nm on excitation at 446 nm. This has originated from the electron–hole recombination of CdSe nanocrystal and defects or traps related transitions. The properties of these nanocomposites advocate their significant applications as semiconductor based luminescent materials. (paper)