Growth of a Semiconductor Nanoparticle Ring during the Drying of a Suspension Droplet

• Published in: Langmuir 1999-02, Vol.15 (4), p.957-965
• Main Authors: Maenosono, S, Dushkin, C. D, Saita, S, Yamaguchi, Y
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Physical and chemical studies. Granulometry. Electrokinetic phenomena
• ISSN: 0743-7463; 1520-5827
• DOI: 10.1021/la980702q

The first study on the growth process of an array comprising colloidal semiconductor nanoparticles (quantum dots) is presented. Two types of particles, CdS and CdSe/CdS (core/shell), suspended in pyridine and water, respectively, have been used. A liquid drop containing the particles is placed on a solid substrate, and the solvent is allowed to evaporate in a nitrogen atmosphere. As the result, a ring-shaped multilayer forms at the drop periphery, with the ring width depending on the particle volume fraction. The kinetics of ring growth is described by a theoretical model which accounts for the effect of experimental parameters. The reported study can serve as background for the preparation of more sophisticated and ordered arrays of semiconductor nanoparticles whose optical properties can be utilized in light-emitting and -converting devices.