Photoinduced electron transfer in novel CdSe-Cu₂Se type II core-shell quantum dots

Herein we report the synthesis, characterisation and electron transfer studies of CdSe-Cu₂Se QDs, a novel type II core-shell system. The synthesis was achieved by a high temperature organometallic method with oleylamine as ligand. Structural and optical properties of the nanostructures were investigated using X-ray diffraction, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, selected area electron diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, inductive coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and absorption spectroscopy. The electron transfer dynamics were investigated by observing the variations in steady state and time resolved emission spectra in the presence of an electron acceptor-methyl viologen. Localization of electrons in the shells was evident from the studies performed indicating efficient charge separation.