Novel multifunctional nanocomposites from titanate nanosheets and semiconductor quantum dots

A novel synthesis for a titanate nanosheets loaded nanocomposite has been developed. On this basis, a multifunctional material for optical applications has been fabricated with tunable refractive index, improved processing behavior and luminescent properties imparted by the incorporation of semiconductor quantum dots.Titanate synthesis, host material choice and quantum dots functionalization have been here addressed to obtain films with good optical quality and stable photoluminescence.In order to assess the potential application of the obtained nanocomposites, imprinting lithography and aerosol-based deposition techniques have been applied with promising results.The obtained nanocomposites have been characterized by UV–Vis, photoluminescence and FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and Transmission Electron Microscopy. The optical properties of the nanocomposite film have been tested by spectroscopic ellipsometry and M-line technique.

► Titanate nanosheets were used as high refractive index filler in nanocomposite films.
► Luminescent quantum dots were also incorporated to give a multifunctional material.
► This material was formed by spin casting, nanoimprinting and aerosol-based deposition.