Synthesis of tunable, highly luminescent QD-glasses through sol-gel processing

Photostable quantum dot (QD)-glasses for use in optical devices can be prep ared by solution-phase synthesis of the luminescent material followed by so l-gel processing, to embed the semiconductor particles in silica. Preventio n of surface reactions that slowly quench the luminescence and degrade the eD is a key problem of their production. A solution to this was found in oc tylamine, which, when added during the sol-gel processing, not only passiva tes the surface of the QD but also accelerates the gelation process. CdSe Q Ds capped with ZnS thus treated remain luminescent over several months.