In-situ synthesis of CdS and Ag₂S quantum dots in poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) gels

In this study, we proposed a hybridization method for polymer and quantum dots (QDs) by directly forming QDs in polymer gel; this method was completely different from conventional methods such as mixing and encapsulation. QDs were fabricated by reacting metal ions in solution with sulfide ions adsorbed in a gel made from poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC), a cationic polymer. CdS and Ag 2 S QDs were successfully fabricated in PDADMAC gel for in situ synthesis, and visible light (534 nm) and NIR (1070 nm) emissions were observed in PDADMAC gel containing CdS and Ag 2 S QDs, respectively. We also discussed the formation mechanism of QDs in the gel considering the mesh size of polymer networks in PDADMAC gel.