title: Biopolymer-protected CdSe nanoparticles.
abstract: A synthetic procedure for the encapsulation of cadmium selenide (CdSe) nanoparticles in a sago starch matrix is introduced. The nanocomposite was investigated using structural, spectroscopic, and thermal methods. TEM micrographs of the nanocomposite showed spherical CdSe particles of 4-5 nm in size coated with a biopolymer layer. The absorption edges of both the aqueous solution and the thin film of the CdSe-starch nanocomposite were shifted toward lower wavelengths in comparison to the value of the bulk semiconductor. Infrared measurements revealed that the interaction of CdSe nanoparticles and starch chains takes place via OH groups. Although the onset of the temperature of decomposition of CdSe-starch nanocomposite is lower than that of the pure matrix, thermogravimetric analysis also showed that introduction of CdSe nanoparticles significantly reduced starch degradation rate leading to high residual mass at the end of the degradation process.
authors.affiliation: Vinca Institute of Nuclear Sciences, PO Box 522, 11001 Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: D K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Bozanić
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Djoković
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bibić
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sreekumari Nair
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Georges
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Radhakrishnan
mesh_terms: D001704:Biopolymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D019187:Cadmium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D053768:Metal Nanoparticles / Q000737:chemistry*; D046529:Microscopy, Electron, Transmission; D018036:Selenium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013213:Starch / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D001704:Biopolymers; D019187:Cadmium Compounds; D018036:Selenium Compounds; D013213:Starch; C058667:cadmium selenide