Synthesis of TiO2/CdS nanocomposite via TiO2 coating on CdS nanoparticles by compartmentalized hydrolysis of Ti alkoxide

Hydrolysis of Ti alkoxide in the presence of inverse micelles containing Cd S nanoparticles in their hydrophilic interior results in formation of TiO2/ CdS nanocomposites in which the CdS nanoparticles are embedded in a TiO2 ma trix with a thickness of less than or equal to 10 nm at the surface of the particles. The primary hydroxyl groups introduced by 2-mercaptoethanol as a capping agent used for preparation of the CdS nanoparticles are considered to play an important role for successful adhesion and growth of the TiO2 l ayer on the CdS surfaces. TEM observation strongly supports formation of se miconductor-in-semiconductor heteronanostructure by compartmentalized hydro lysis of Ti alkoxide within the inverse micelles in which the surface-cappe d CdS nanoparticles coexist. (C) 2001 Kluwer Academic Publishers.