MasterNanosciences, nanotechnologies

This internship subject is to investigate a new class of photocatalysts based on colloidal semiconductor quantum dots. The originality of the systems developed in this project will be the controlled size connections of quantum dots with metallic nanoparticles. This connection is obtained by surface functionalization of both nanoparticles and reaction coupling to obtained covalent bonding between the semiconductor quantum dots and metallic nanoparticles.
Recent experiments demonstrated that such composite system promote the electron/hole separation by electron transfer from the quantum dots to the metallic nanoparticles and improved the efficiency of the photocatalytic systems in water. In this internship we propose to:
Develop the functionalization and coupling reaction between semiconductor quantum dots and metallic nanoparticles to obtained small aggregates states in suspension.
Analyze the colloidal state and the spectroscopic properties of such assembly.
Test the potential of these new type of nano-catalyst for the photoredox degradation of organic dyes

Expected skills

This project is appropriate for  students in the master Nanochemistry.

Skils that will be acquired during the internship

This internship, localized at the Neel Institute, will provide the trainee with some skills in nanoparticles functionalization, in-situ characterization of colloids, photochemistry and photophysics of nanoparticles.