Well-Organized CdS/C60 in Block Copolymer Micellar Cores

CdS nanoparticles of 4.5 nm diameter were synthesized in poly(2-vinylpyridine) micellar cores which were obtained by solvating a polystyrene-block-poly(2-vinylpyridine) block copolymer in polystyrene-selective toluene. Then, a C-60-toluene solution was dispersed into the CdS micelle solution with stirring. This led to the well-defined organization of two different nanoparticles; specifically: a CdS NP decorated by several/dozens of C-60 molecules, because C-60 molecules were strongly coordinated with pyridine molecules in the micellar cores by charge-transfer complexation C-60(delta-)-P2VP(delta+). A harmoniously organized CdS/C-60 micellar structure was clearly verified by transmission electron microscopy. Fluorescent quenching of CdS nanoparticles, which was strongly affected by neighboring C-60 molecules, was observed.