A comparative study of structural and opto-electronic properties of pure and functionalized Ag QDs in 6CHBT LC media

Abstract

Silver quantum dots (Ag QDs) are emerging nanomaterials with unique structural and opto-electronic properties, offering potential applications in photonics, sensing, and catalysis. This study investigates the structural and opto-electronic characteristics of pure and functionalized Ag QDs in presence of 6CHBT LC media. Ag QDs were synthesized by using silver nitrate and tri-sodium citrate. Comprehensive characterizations were performed to understand the impact of surface functionalization of Ag QDs done with 2,5-Dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole (DMTD) hosted 6CHBT LC media. High Resolution X-ray diffraction (HR-XRD) confirmed the crystalline nature of the QDs and provided insights into their crystallite size. Energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDAX) validated the elemental composition, ensuring the successful functionalization of Ag QDs without presence of impurities. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed the morphological features and size distribution of the synthesized quantum dots. Optical absorption measurements, obtained through UV–VIS–NIR spectroscopy, demonstrated significant changes in the absorption profile due to the functionalization, highlighting the influence of surface modifications on the electronic structure and optical bandgap of the QDs. The study emphasizes the correlation between structural and opto-electronic properties of Ag QDs and the role of functionalization in tailoring their opto-electronic properties for specific applications. The findings pave the way for optimizing their use in advanced nanotechnological applications.