Optical properties of quantum-dot-decorated polymer nanofibers
(# 335202) Nanotechnology 22 #33 (2011)
Abstract
Yu, Zhang and Li of Sun Yat-Sen University, China, developed a one-step process for decorating poly(trimethylene terephthalate) (PTT) nanofibers with CdSe/ZnS core/shell quantum dots (QDs). Using the QD-decorated PTT nanofibers with diameters of 400–800 nm as active subwavelength waveguides, their high photostability for 630 nm red light and low absorption coefficient down to 2.6 cm− 1 were characterized by both evanescent waveguiding excitation and irradiation excitation.  Compared with the irradiation excitation, a 200 times enhancement was obtained from the active subwavelength waveguides under the evanescent waveguiding excitation.  (RDC 7/29/2011)

Ionic liquid assisted electrospinning of quantum dots/elastomer composite nanofibers
(1954-1962) Polymer 52 #9 (2011)
Zhu et al of Lamar University, Texas, fabricated quantum dots (QDs)/elastomer (VM) composite nanofibers via electrospinning with the assistance of small amount (1 wt%) of ionic liquid.  Without ionic liquid, polymer solution underwent an electrospraying process within the electric field and only individual droplets rather than continuous fibers were observed.  Both fixed electrode and rotating disk electrode were used to collect the products. The latter one turned out to be much more advanced in collecting separated, aligned and narrow-size distributed composite nanofibers. With fixed electrode, even though nanofibers were obtained initially, the as-spun fibers were easily to merge together due to the flexible non-crystalline nature of the  VM chains and finally formed a condensed thin film.  Strong fluorescent emission was observed in the composite nanofibers with a QD loading of 3 and 5 wt%, respectively. The optical property of QDs was not degraded after dispersing in the polymer solution as evidenced by the UV–Vis absorption at 562 nm and 592 nm, and strong photoluminescent emission at 612 nm. In addition, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis revealed a strong interaction between ionic liquid and the polymer chains, which well explains the function of the ionic liquid on producing fiber structure of VM. An enhanced thermal stability of the elastomer in the composite nanofibers is observed as compared to that of the pure elastomer fibers.  (RDC 6/1/2011)

Electrospinning of fluorescent fibers from CdSe/ZnS quantum dots in cellulose triacetate
(803–810)Journal of Applied Polymer Science 119 #2 (2010)
Abitbol, Wilson,and Gray of McGill University (Montreal, Canada) formed these fibers by electrospinning fluorescent cellulose triacetate in a cosolvent of methylene chloride and methanol containing the quantum dots.  The low concentration of dots made the nanofibers fluorescent without changing their morphology.  (RDC 11/10/2010)