Facile preparation and properties of fluorescent thermoplastic elastomer comprised of ZnS-capped CdSe metallo-supramolecular block copolymer

Abstract

Taking advantage of metal-ligand complex between Zn(II) and terpyridine (Tpy) proved by UV–vis and fluorescence test, the supramolecular thermoplastic elastomer was prepared by simple blends of quantum dots (QDs) and Tpy-terminal polystyrene-b-polyisoprene (SI-Tpy). TEM images show that QDs are stable and evenly dispersed in polyisoprene (PI) phase. The interfacial interaction between QD surface and PI phase of SI-Tpy which has phase separation between PS phase and PI phase has impact on the solubility of QD, conformation of PI soft chain and enhance the mechanical property of the material. The obtained thermoplastic elastomers have excellent fluorescence and mechanical property, which make them have potential applications in optical fields.