New CdS/organic composite volcano-like nanowire: characterization, thermal stability and photoluminescence

Over the past decade, a great deal of efforts has been expended in controlling the sizes, shapes and crystal structures of nanomaterials, because these parameters are key to determine their electrical and optical properties [1-3]. Solid-state inorganic organic ( I/O ) hybrid composites with enhanced properties by nanoscale inorganic units are one hot area of materials chemistry. Papers dealing with synthesis, characterization and modification of the I/O hybrid composites are rapidly appearing [4]. It is well known that the size and structure of the semiconductor nanocrystals are important factors in determining their optical properties. Various methods have been developed to control their size, morphology and crystallinity in order to obtain the desired properties. There has been considerable interest in the optical properties of small semiconductor quantum dots over the last few decades, because their bandgap is a function of crystal size and can thus be tailored. In this paper, we report a volcano-like CdS/organic nanocomposite with intercalated thioglycolic acid (TGA) to form CdS/HSCH2COOH. Previous papers reported TGA as a thiol stabilizer to synthesize other II-VI semiconductor materials [5], while in the present paper, TGA is used not only as a sulfur resource but also as an organic substance encapsulating around the CdS nanocrystals to form new inorganic organic (I/O) composites. The HSCH2COOH organic substances make the composites exhibit a drastic enhancement in the luminescence properties