Controlled self-assembly of CdTe quantum dots into different microscale dendrite structures by using proteins as templates

Abstract

The controlled self-assembly of quantum dots (QDs) into complex microscale structures is crucial for the study of their collective properties. Here, we demonstrate that diverse structured microscale dendrites could be formed on glass surfaces assembled from CdTe QDs by using ten different proteins as templates, through evaporation-induced self-assembly (EISA). The proteins could self-assemble into dendritic microstructures by solvent evaporation from solutions, and the dispersed CdTe QDs could grow into various dendritic patterns on the micropatterns of proteins, as a result of a simple combination of CdTe QDs with proteins. The structures of the CdTe dendrites can be tailored by controlling the pH value of the solvent of the protein or the addition of metal ions. Polarization dependent experiments demonstrate that the formed CdTe dendrites possess the properties of crystallinity and birefringence. This work opens a new, convenient avenue for the manipulation of the self-assembly of CdTe QDs into different dendritic microstructures.