Cadmium Sulfide/Cadmium Selenium Core Shell Nano Particles (CdS/CdSe, 99.9%, APS: 80-100nm, Inorganic Semiconductor)

Cadmium Sulfide/Cadmium Selenium Core-Shell Nano-Particles

Cadmium sulfide (CdS) and cadmium selenide (CdSe) are both semiconductor materials that exhibit distinct electronic and optical properties. CdS is a narrow-bandgap semiconductor with strong photoluminescence and is widely used in optoelectronic applications such as solar cells and quantum dots.

Applications:

Photocatalysis and Environmental Remediation

Pollutant Degradation: The photocatalytic properties of CdS and CdSe are well known, and their combination in a core-shell structure improves their efficiency in breaking down organic pollutants under visible light. The CdS core absorbs light in the visible spectrum, while the CdSe shell helps improve charge separation and enhances the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which are essential for the degradation of organic pollutants such as dyes, pesticides, and industrial chemicals in water and air.

Water Splitting and Hydrogen Generation: The photocatalytic splitting of water to generate hydrogen is another key application. CdS/CdSe core-shell nanoparticles are used in solar-driven water splitting because the nanoparticles can absorb a wide range of sunlight and facilitate the generation of hydrogen from water. The core-shell design improves charge separation and photostability, both of which are critical for efficient and sustainable hydrogen production.

Photovoltaics and Solar Cells

Thin-Film Solar Cells: CdS is commonly used in thin-film solar cells as a buffer layer in CdTe-based solar cells. CdSe, on the other hand, has excellent properties for photovoltaic applications due to its light absorption capabilities. When CdS and CdSe are combined in a core-shell nanoparticle configuration, these materials can be used in the fabrication of next-generation solar cells, where they enhance charge transport and light absorption, thus improving solar cell efficiency.

Photodetectors and Light-Emitting Devices: CdS/CdSe core-shell nanoparticles can be used in photodetectors or photovoltaic devices for improved light harvesting. The tunable photoluminescence of these nanoparticles can also be used in light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and displays.

Quantum Dots for Biological Imaging

Fluorescent Markers: The size-tunable photoluminescence of CdS/CdSe core-shell nanoparticles makes them ideal for use as fluorescent probes in biological imaging. The narrow emission spectra of these nanoparticles, coupled with their high quantum yields, make them useful for multicolor cellular imaging, in vivo tracking, and diagnostic applications.

Bioconjugation: CdS/CdSe nanoparticles can be functionalized with biological molecules, such as antibodies, to create targeted imaging agents. This is useful for specific disease detection, such as cancer and neurological disorders, where the nanoparticles can selectively bind to target cells and provide detailed fluorescence imaging.

Sensing and Detection

Fluorescent Sensors: CdS/CdSe core-shell nanoparticles are well-suited for use in sensing applications, where their tunable photoluminescence can be exploited for the detection of specific ions, molecules, or environmental pollutants. For instance, these nanoparticles can be engineered to interact with specific metal ions (e.g., Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, or Hg²⁺), causing changes in their fluorescence that can be detected using fluorescence spectroscopy. This makes them excellent for environmental monitoring and biosensing.