Synthesis and optical properties of MPTMS-capped CdS quantum dots embedded in TiO2 thin films for photonic applications

CdS nanoparticles have been prepared via a colloidal route using 3-mercatopropyltrimethoxysilane as a capping agent. The stability of the particles in solution and embedded in TiO2 matrices has been followed by optical absorption. Both the size and the size distribution of the particles are well controlled, thus allowing a tunable emission. Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopies have been used to characterize colloidal CdS, TiO2:CdS solutions and thin films deposited on soda-lime slides. The Z-scan technique has been used to measure the non-linear refractive indices of the solutions and the non-linear absorption coefficients of the thin films.