InP Quantum Dot - Organosilicon Nanocomposites

InP quantum dot (QD) - organosilicon nanocomposites were synthesized and their photoluminescence quenching was mainly investigated because of their applicability to white LEDs (light emitting diodes). The as-synthesized InP QDs which were capped with myristic acid (MA) were incompatible with typical silicone encapsulants. Post ligand exchange the MA with a new ligand, 3-aminopropyldimethylsilane (APDMS), resulted in soluble InP QDs bearing Si-H groups on their surface (InP-APDMS) which allow embedding the QDs into vinyl-functionalized silicones through direct chemical bonding, overcoming the phase separation problem. However, the ligand exchange from MA to APDMS caused a significant decrease in the photoluminescent efficiency which is interpreted by ligand induced surface corrosion relying on theoretical calculations. The InP-APDMS QDs were cross-linked by 1,4-divinyltetramethylsilylethane (DVMSE) molecules via hydrosilylation reaction. As the InP-organosilicon nanocomposite grew, its UV-vis absorbance was increased and at the same time, the PL spectrum was red-shifted and, very interestingly, the PL was quenched gradually. Three PL quenching mechanisms are regarded as strong candidates for the PL quenching of the QD nano-composites, namely the scattering effect, Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) and cross-linker tension preventing the QD's surface relaxation.