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Structure and optical properties of Zn_xCd_1-xS and Cu:Zn_xCd_1-xS templated on DNA molecules

Lookup NU author(s): Dr Andres Aldana Rodriguez, Professor Andrew HoultonORCiD, Dr Ben HorrocksORCiD

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0).

Abstract

© 2024 The Author(s). Published by IOP Publishing Ltd.One-dimensional ZnxCd1−xS and Cu: Znx Cd1−x S nanostructures were prepared using DNA as a template to promote growth along the molecular axis. The formation of homogeneously alloyed nanocrystals with cubic zinc blende-type structures was verified using x-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. X-ray photoemission spectra revealed the presence of Cu(I) in the doped Cu: Znx Cd1−x S nanocrystals. The effectiveness of the DNA template to direct the semiconductor growth in one dimension was demonstrated by AFM and TEM. The nanostructures displayed a granular morphology comprising nanoparticles with an average diameter of 14 nm composed of assemblies of smaller crystallites of 2.0 nm in size. Rope-like assemblies with an average diameter of 48 nm and extending in length to several hundred micrometres were obtained by evaporation-induced self-assembly. UV-Vis absorption and emission spectra indicated that the optical bandgaps (2.89-4.00eV) and photoluminescence peaks (608-819 nm) of the DNA-templated nanocrystals could be precisely controlled by modifying the molar ratios of their Zn/Cd precursors. Doping with Cu(I) gave an increase in photoluminescence intensity and a composition-independent red-shift of 0.23 eV. The preparation of DNA-templated Znx Cd1−x S and Cu: Znx Cd1−x S provides a simple, low-temperature route to aqueous dispersions of inorganic materials with controlled optical gap.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Aldana A, Houlton A, Horrocks BR

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Nano Express

Year: 2024

Volume: 5

Issue: 3

Print publication date: 01/09/2024

Online publication date: 30/08/2024

Acceptance date: 26/08/2024

Date deposited: 16/09/2024

ISSN (electronic): 2632-959X

Publisher: Institute of Physics Publishing Ltd.

URL: https://doi.org/10.1088/2632-959X/ad6f32

DOI: 10.1088/2632-959X/ad6f32

Data Access Statement: The data that support the findings of this study are available upon reasonable request from the authors. https://doi.org/10.25405/data.ncl.26206907.

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