Influence of the host matrix on the microstructure of sol-gel films doped with CdS and PbS Q-dots

The preparation of non-linear optical materials for integrated photonic devices needs the development of procedures which permit a very good control of the microstructure. Sol-gel is a good method for the preparation of glasses doped with semiconductor Q-Dots. However, the control on the microstructure and the properties of the material is related to many parameters (e.g., conditions of hydrolysis,precursors, heat treatments, etc.). In this work the effect of the matrix on the size and size distribution of the semiconductor nanoparticles was investigated. The films were characterized by UV-VIS-NIR spectrophotometry, Grazing Angle X-Ray Diffraction (GA-XRD), and High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM).