Silica-encapsulated ZnSe quantum dots as a temperature sensor media

Abstract

Silica encapsulated ZnSe quantum dots (QDs) were prepared by employing two microemulsion systems: AOT/water/cyclohexane microemulsions containing ZnSe quantum dots with NP5/water/cyclohexane microemulsions containing tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS). Using this method, cubic zinc blende nanoparticles (3 nm in diameter) were synthesized and encapsulated by silica nanoparticles (20 nm in diameter). The temperature dependence of photoluminescence (PL) for silica-encapsulated ZnSe QDs was investigated to evaluate this material as a temperature sensor media. The fluorescence emission intensity of silica-encapsulated ZnSe nanoparticles (NPs) was decreased with an increase of ambient temperature over the range from 30 ℃ to 60 ℃ and a linear relationship between the temperature and the emission intensity was observed. In addition, the temperature dependence of PL intensity for silica-encapsulated ZnSe NPs showed a reversible pattern on ambient temperature. A reversible temperature dependence of the luminescence combined with its insensitivity toward quenching by oxygen due to silica coating established this material as an attractive media for temperature sensor applications. © 2015, Korean Society of Industrial Engineering Chemistry. All right reserved.