Synthesis and luminescence properties of CdSe:Eu NPs and their surface polymerization of poly(MMA-co-MQ)

CdSe:Eu nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized using an oil phase method and the substitution of Cd²⁺ with Eu³⁺ was confirmed by XRD, TEM, UV-Vis absorption and fluorescence emission analyses. The CdSe:Eu NPs are monodispersed and uniform spherical particles with a diameter of 3.2 nm, bigger than the pure CdSe NPs (2.3 nm), but with a similar cubic structure as CdSe NPs. Compared with those of pure CdSe NPs, both emission spectrum and absorption spectrum of CdSe:Eu NPs are red-shifted. The CdSe:Eu NPs are incorporated into poly(MMA-co-MQ) to afford poly(MMA-co-MQ)-CdSe:Eu NPs with the cubic structure and particle size (～3–4 nm) similar to those of CdSe:Eu NPs. The TEM imaging suggests that the CdSe:Eu NPs are uniformly dispersed in poly(MMA-co-MQ) without any obvious aggregation. The fluorescent emission peak and absorption peak of poly(MMA-co-MQ)-CdSe:Eu NPs are between those of CdSe:Eu NPs and poly(MMA-co-MQ), possibly due to the energy transfer caused by the interactions of Cd or Eu atoms on the surfaces of CdSe:Eu NPs with the N and O atoms of poly(MMA-co-MQ). These CdSe:Eu and poly(MMA-co-MQ)-CdSe:Eu NPs with tunable photoluminescence properties can be potentially used for the fabrication of optical and optoelectronic devices.