A Facile Method for the Synthesis Fluorescent Zinc Chalcogenide (ZnO, ZnS and ZnSe) Nanoparticles in PS and PMMA Polymer Matrix.

A simple method for the synthesis of fluorescent zinc chalcogenide (ZnO, ZnS and ZnSe) nanoparticles directly in the transparent PMMA and PS polymer matrices were reported. Highly dispersed small spherical ZnO nanoparticles (3-5 nm) was obtained by hydrothermal reaction of PMMA/PS-Zn(acac)2H2O in toluene. ZnS and ZnSe nanoparticles were prepared by heterogeneous stirring of PMMA/PS-Zn(acac)2H2O in toluene with aqueous solution of thiourea or NaHSe. Interestingly, ZnO and ZnS-PMMA thin film showed strong fluorescence quenching upon exposure to ammonia.