Spatial position control of pre-synthesized CdS nanoclusters using a self-assembled diblock copolymer template

Abstract

We report a method for fabricating ordered spatial arrangements of pre-synthesized CdS nanoparticles in thin block copolymer templates by first selectively dispersing these nanoparticles in one particular block of a diblock copolymer, in bulk, by means of dipole-dipole interactions and then using solvent selectivity to sequester CdS nanoparticles in the block copolymer thin film. A long-range, ordered morphology of US nanoclusters can be obtained by using patterned substrates with 400 nm shallow grooves. The incorporated nanoparticles retain the same luminescence characteristics as in the pure state.