Confined synthesis of CdSe quantum dots and characterization

Nanoclusters of II-VI compound semiconductor CdSe were synthesized within the mesopores of MCM-41 sodium aluminium silicate framework material following an ion exchange route after suitably protecting the outer walls of the pore. The integrity of the framework after formation of the nanocomposite was confirmed by XRD. XRD and elemental analysis revealed the formation of the clusters. The absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopy of the composite yields results consistent with the blue shift expected as a consequence of quantum confinement in these nanoclusters. The Raman spectrum of the CdSe-MCM composite shows evidences of phonon confinement.