A self-assembled CdSe QD–organogel hybrid: photophysical and thermoresponsive properties

Abstract

A luminescent hybrid gel was prepared by incorporating organic ligand capped CdSe quantum dots (QDs) into a steroid-dimer derived organogel. Photophysical measurements and electron microscopy studies allowed us to understand the nature of the hybrid. Detailed analysis of the excited state dynamics of the hybrid was carried out using a kinetic decay model. The luminescence of the QDs in the hybrid was unaltered by taking it through a gel–sol–gel cycle induced by thermal stimuli. We believe that the results obtained herein provide a route to develop a thermoresponsive device for practical applications, because of the spatial assembly between soft organic scaffolds and colloidal QDs.