Photoluminescence spectroscopy and lifetime measurements from self-assembled semiconductor-metal nanoparticle hybrid arrays

Abstract

We present results of photoluminescence spectroscopy and lifetime measurements on thin film hybrid arrays of semiconductor quantum dots and metal nanoparticles embedded in a block copolymer template. The intensity of emission as well as the measured lifetime would be controlled by varying the volume fraction and location of gold nanoparticles in the matrix. We demonstrate the ability to both enhance and quench the luminescence in the hybrids as compared to the quantum dot array films while simultaneously engineering large reduction in luminescence lifetime with incorporation of gold nanoparticles. We acknowledge that the use of the Center for Nanoscale Materials was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, under Contract No. DE-AC02-06CH11357. We acknowledge DST-IISc Nano Science Initiative for TEM and optical measurements and Mr. Shankar, IISc, for assistance with high resolution SEM imaging. M.H. acknowledges UGC for financial support.