One-pot synthesis, encapsulation, and solubilization of size-tuned quantum dots with amphiphilic multidentate ligands

J Am Chem Soc. 2008 Oct 1;130(39):12866-7. doi: 10.1021/ja804755q. Epub 2008 Sep 6.

Abstract

We report one-pot synthesis, encapsulation, and solubilization of high-quality quantum dots (QDs) based on the use of amphiphilic and multidentate polymer ligands. In this "all-in-one" procedure, the resulting QDs are first capped by the multidentate ligand and are then spontaneously encapsulated and solubilized by a second layer of the same multidentate polymer upon exposure to water. In addition to providing better control of nanocrystal nucleation and growth kinetics (including resistance to Ostwald ripening), this procedure allows for in situ growth of an inorganic passivating shell on the nanocrystal core, enabling one-pot synthesis of both type-I and type-II core-shell QDs with tunable light emission from visible to near-infrared wavelengths.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Cadmium Compounds / chemical synthesis
  • Cadmium Compounds / chemistry*
  • Ligands
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemical synthesis
  • Polyethylene Glycols / chemistry*
  • Quantum Dots*
  • Selenium Compounds / chemical synthesis
  • Selenium Compounds / chemistry*
  • Solubility
  • Spectrometry, Fluorescence
  • Tellurium / chemistry*

Substances

  • Cadmium Compounds
  • Ligands
  • Selenium Compounds
  • Polyethylene Glycols
  • cadmium selenide
  • Tellurium
  • cadmium telluride