Optical properties of nanocomposites based on (CdSe)ZnS core shell nanocrystals in cyclic olefin copolymer

In this work, organic capped CdSe and (CdSe)ZnS core shell colloidal nanocrystals (NCs), prepared by means of thermolysis of organometallic precursors and with high control on size and size dispersion, were dispersed into a transparent and thermoplastic cyclic olefin copolymer, namely TOPAS, by using toluene as common solvent. The obtained nanocomposite material was deposited by spin coating in thin films that were investigated by UV–vis spectroscopy as well as by TEM analysis. A preliminary comparison of the luminescence properties of CdSe core and (CdSe)ZnS core shell NCs in polymer was carried out. The effect of NC concentration, time and temperature on the optical properties of the composites was determined with the aim of a potential use of these materials for permanent photonic applications. The incorporation of luminescent (CdSe)ZnS NCs in the TOPAS copolymer can be potentially effective for the fabrication of novel optical devices by nanoimprint lithography.