Effect of mercaptopropionic acid as linker on structural, thermal, and optical properties of TiO2–CdSe nanocomposites

In this study, we have studied the stability of TiO 2 –CdSe nanocomposites in which the individual moieties are linked using a bifunctional linker (mercaptopropionic acid). Nanoparticles of TiO 2 and CdSe are synthesized by sol–gel and one pot methods. The equimolar amount of the above particles is utilized to prepare nanocomposites with and without linker. These samples are characterized for their structural, thermal, and optical properties using X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analysis (DTA), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), and UV–Vis spectroscopy. The average particle size of TiO 2 and CdSe are 16 and 23 nm, respectively. The addition of a bifunctional linker shows remarkable effect on the properties of TiO 2 –CdSe nanocomposites.