PH-dependent network formation of quantum dots and fluorescent quenching by Au nanoparticle embedding

A simple approach to the creation of colloidal assemblies is in high demand for the development of functional devices. Here, we present the preparation of CdTe-QD (quantum dot) networks in as little as 1 day simply by pH modification without the use of oxidants. The QD network was tractable in water and casting from a droplet produced a porous networked film on both hydrophobic and hydrophilic solid substrates. Further, we found that citrate-protected gold nanoparticles (AuNPs, d = 5 nm) could be incorporated into the QD networks to afford a QD/Au composite network, and that the fluorescence from the QDs was largely decreased by the addition of a small proportion of AuNPs (QD:AuNP = 99.4:0.6), probably due to the efficient charge transfer through the network. These data indicate that our method is suitable for application to the creation of metal/QD hybrid materials that can be integrated into wet-based processes.