Synthesis and Characterization of a Sol–Gel Derived Ureasilicate Hybrid Organic-Inorganic Matrix Containing CdS Colloidal Particles

Abstract

A hybrid organic-inorganic material filled with in situ generated inorganic particles has been synthesised by the homogeneous precipitation of CdS from aqueous solutions of Cd(NO3)2 and CH3CSNH2. These highly transparent, homogeneous and flexible CdS doped xerogels were prepared by the sol–gel technique using, as precursors, organically modified silicon alkoxide (3-isocyanatepropyltriethoxysilane) and a di-amine functionalized oligopolyoxyethylene (Jeffamine ED-600), which by subsequent hydrolysis and condensation processes formed a solid 3-D network. TEM studies indicate the presence of round nanoparticles around 20 nm in diameter dispersed in a homogeneous amorphous matrix. The samples were also characterized by spectroscopic (UV-visible and photoluminescence) and XRD techniques.