Long Term Optical Properties of ZnS-AgInS2 and AgInS2-AgGaS2 Solid-Solution Semiconductor Nanoparticles Dispersed in Polymer Matrices

Abstract

Long term optical properties of fluorescent I-III-VI semiconductor nanoparticles and its solid solution dispersed in the methacrylate resin were tested under various conditions aiming at their use as wavelength converters. The ZnS-AgInS2 solid solution nanoparticles, which we developed recently, have less stability against a thermal and a photonic stimulus, while the AgInS2-AgGaS2 solid solution nanoparticles maintain an acceptable fluorescence property even after 1000 h of a thermal stimulus. Differences in the durability between the two types of semiconductors are discussed based on the solid solubility. The deterioration of the fluorescence property is considered to be due to the phase separation of crystals of ZnS-AgInS2 system.