title: Growth kinetics of CdSe quantum dots generated in polar polymers.
abstract: Growth kinetics of CdSe nanocrystals generated inside three selected polymers (polyvinylpyrrolidone--PVP, polyethyleneglycol--PEG and polyvinylalcohol--PVA) are demonstrated to follow a self-catalytic path, with growth rates depending on the nature of the polymer, i.e. on the capability to activate the cadmium species present in the solution of a metal precursor. A two-step process drives the size evolution of nanocrystals and a critical diameter value can be identified at which the growth regime changes. The medium-term stability evaluation of nanocomposites indicates that, after an initial rearrangement, polymers keep stable the embedded CdSe nanocrystals.
authors.affiliation: CNR-IDASC SENSOR Laboratory, via Branze, 45-25131 Brescia, Italy. isabella.concina@ing.unibs.it
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Concina
authors.forename: Marta Maria
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Natile
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tondello
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sberveglieri