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Unraveling Complexity: A Strategy for the Characterization of Anisotropic Core Multishell Nanoparticles
Author(s) -
Lin Wei,
Greve Christoph,
Härtner Sebastian,
Götz Klaus,
Walter Johannes,
Wu Mingjian,
Rechberger Stefanie,
Spiecker Erdmann,
Busch Sebastian,
Schmutzler Tilo,
Avadhut Yamini,
Hartmann Martin,
Unruh Tobias,
Peukert Wolfgang,
Segets Doris
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
particle and particle systems characterization
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.877
H-Index - 56
eISSN - 1521-4117
pISSN - 0934-0866
DOI - 10.1002/ppsc.202000145
Subject(s) - nanorod , materials science , dynamic light scattering , thermogravimetric analysis , spectroscopy , photoluminescence , nanotechnology , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , nanoparticle , chemical engineering , optoelectronics , physics , quantum mechanics , engineering
In this work, a widely applicable routine to characterize the core, surface, stability, and optical properties of CdSe/CdS/ZnS core–shell–shell nanorods after multiple growth steps is established. First, size, shape, and shell thickness of the nanorods are characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), analytical ultracentrifugation (AUC), and small angle X‐ray/neutron scattering (SAXS/SANS). In the next step, Fourier‐transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and SANS measurements are applied to determine the surface species of nanorods. Then, the colloidal stability of the nanorods is investigated by UV–vis spectroscopy and dynamic light scattering (DLS) after different washing cycles. Finally, photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of the nanorods during washing and sample storage is determined. With this highly complementary routine for particle characterization, the core, surface, stability, and optical properties of nanorods after multiple growth steps are resolved. The results demonstrate the importance of the developed toolbox to characterize such highly complex, anisotropic nanorods for a technical environment. This is of major importance for the handling of colloidal quantum materials and their quality control in industrial applications.