PA6–Se–Cd composite obtained via two-step assembly synthesis route

Abstract

PA6–Se–Cd composites were obtained by two-step assembly synthesis route. Firstly, a chemical bath deposition method was employed for preparation of PA6–Se precursors at room temperature using H2SeO3 and Na2SO3 solutions. These chalcogenized polymers further serve as proxies for cadmium selenide formation. The formation of CdSe is attained by exposing the PA6–Se precursor into a Cd(CH3COO)2 solution at different temperatures. The obtained composites were characterized by atomic absorption spectroscopy, optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The Se consumption rate represents a global reaction system because it depends on the simultaneous occurrence of the heterogeneous reaction between Cd2+ ions and Se in the polyamide 6 (PA6) matrix and the selenium washout from polymer. The prepared PA6–Se−Cd composites are reproducible, uniform and pinhole-free. X-ray diffraction analysis showed the formation of cadmium selenide (CdSe) and selenium (Se8) phases with a hexagonal and a monoclinic unit cell, respectively.