One- and two-photon induced polymerization of methylmethacrylate using colloidal CdS semiconductor quantum dots

Nicholas C. Strandwitz, Anzar Khan, Shannon W. Boettcher, Alexander A. Mikhailovsky, Craig J. Hawker, Thuc Quyen Nguyen, Galen D. Stucky

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

50 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The development of one- and two-photon induced polymerization using CdS semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) and amine co-initiators to promote radical generation and subsequent polymerization is presented. Two-photon absorption (TPA) cross-section measurements, linear absorption, and transmission electron microscopy are used to characterize the QDs. The effectiveness of the co-initiators in increasing the efficiency of photopolymerization (polymer chains formed per excitation) is examined. Triethylamine was observed to be most effective, yielding quantum efficiencies of initiation of >5%. The interactions between the co-initiators and QDs are investigated with steady-state photoluminescence and infrared spectroscopies. Possible initiation mechanisms are discussed and supported by electrochemical data. Making use of the surface chemistry developed here and the large QD TPA cross-sections, two-photon induced polymerization is demonstrated. The large TPA cross-sections coupled with modest quantum efficiencies for initiation reveal the unique potential of molecularly passivated QDs as efficient two-photon photosensitizers for polymerization.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)8280-8288
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of the American Chemical Society
Volume130
Issue number26
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008 Jul 2
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Catalysis
  • Chemistry(all)
  • Biochemistry
  • Colloid and Surface Chemistry

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