CdS/C60 binary nanocomposite films prepared via phase transition of PS-b-P2VP block copolymer

[Display omitted] •A binary system of CdS/C60 embedded in PS-b-P2VP lamellar structures was fabricated.•Phase transition of a PS-b-P2VP block copolymer was controlled by adjusting solvents.•CdS NPs were in situ synthesized into PS-b-P2VP block copolymer micelles.•The CdS-PS-b-P2VP micellar structures can be transformed to lamellar phase.•C60 molecules were embedded into P2VP domain though charge-transfer complexation. We demonstrate the well-defined control of phase transition of a polystyrene-b-poly(2-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P2VP) block copolymer from spherical micelles to lamellar structures, in which CdS and C60 nanoparticles (NPs) are selectively positioned at the P2VP domains. The CdS NPs are in situ synthesized using PS-b-P2VP block copolymer templates that are self-assembled in PS-selective solvents. The CdS-PS-b-P2VP micellar structures are transformed to lamellar phase by adjusting a solvent selectivity for both blocks. In addition, a binary system of CdS/C60 embedded in PS-b-P2VP lamellar structures (CdS/C60-PS-b-P2VP) is fabricated by embedding C60 molecules into P2VP domain though charge-transfer complexation between pyridine units of PS-b-P2VP and C60 molecules. The CdS/C60-PS-b-P2VP nanostructured films are characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV–Vis spectrometer.