Chromatographic property classification of narrowly distributed ZnS quantum dots

Süß S, Bartsch K, Wasmus C, Damm C, Segets D, Peukert W (2020)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2020

Journal

Nanoscale Royal Society of Chemistry

Book Volume: 12

Pages Range: 12114-12125

Journal Issue: 22

DOI: 10.1039/d0nr03890c

Abstract

Although optimized synthesis methods for nanoparticles (NPs) on small scale can lead to narrow particle size distributions (PSDs) and thus defined optical properties, in particular during scale-up, an additional classification step must be applied to adjust the particle properties according to the needs of the later application. NP chromatography is a promising separation method, which can be potentially transferred to preparative and industrial scale. Herein, we demonstrate that remarkable classification of ZnS quantum dots (QDs) with respect to the fundamental band gap energy is achieved by chromatography although the PSD of the feed material is already very narrow (1.5-3.0 nm). We investigated the interactions of ZnS QDs with stationary and mobile phase materials in order to select a proper material couple so that irreversible NP adhesion, agglomeration, decomposition or dissolution of the ZnS QDs during the chromatographic experiments are avoided and highly reproducible chromatograms are obtained. Using a fraction collector, the already narrowly size distributed feed material was separated into coarse and fine fractions with distinct band gap energies. For characterization of the chromatographic fractionation, quantities known from particle technology, i.e. separation efficiency, cut size and yield, were adapted to the band gap energy distributions accessible from UV/Vis spectroscopy. The optimization of process conditions (flow rate, temperature, switching time of the fraction collector) allows fine-tuning of the property classification and therefore of the optical properties within the narrow distribution of the ZnS QDs. Our study shows the strength and high potential of chromatography for preparative and continuous separation of NPs even in case of narrow size-distributed sub-10 nm semiconductor QDs.

Authors with CRIS profile

Sebastian Süß Lehrstuhl für Feststoff- und Grenzflächenverfahrenstechnik Cornelia Damm Lehrstuhl für Feststoff- und Grenzflächenverfahrenstechnik Wolfgang Peukert Lehrstuhl für Feststoff- und Grenzflächenverfahrenstechnik

Related research project(s)

Fundamentals of nanoparticle chromatography (SFB 1411 - B04) Design of particulate products (SFB 1411) Jan. 1, 2020 - Dec. 31, 2023 Tailored hierarchical semiconductors (SFB 1411 - A02) Design of particulate products (SFB 1411) Jan. 1, 2020 - Dec. 31, 2023

Involved external institutions

Universität Duisburg-Essen (UDE) DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Süß, S., Bartsch, K., Wasmus, C., Damm, C., Segets, D., & Peukert, W. (2020). Chromatographic property classification of narrowly distributed ZnS quantum dots. Nanoscale, 12(22), 12114-12125. https://dx.doi.org/10.1039/d0nr03890c

MLA:

Süß, Sebastian, et al. "Chromatographic property classification of narrowly distributed ZnS quantum dots." Nanoscale 12.22 (2020): 12114-12125.

BibTeX: Download