Nanocrystals exhibit unique optical and electrical properties that make them a key component for next-generation optoelectronic devices. Assembling these nanocrystals through gelation allows them to retain their nanoscale properties while they are employed in multiscale architectures. However, nanocrystal assembly through gelation is typically irreversible, offers little control over the size of nanocrystal clusters and is non-specific to a particular linker. Here, we demonstrate that by using dynamic covalent chemistry one can introduce specific interactions between nanocrystals to achieve an assembly size from small clusters to a larger gel network, with a reversible manner. To establish these interactions, we functionalize the nanocrystals with peptide synthesized ligands having aldehyde functional groups and pair them with a complimentary linker molecule having di-hydrazide functional groups to form networks. This pairing forms a di-hydrazone product which enables the link between nanocrystals and offers a wide control over the size of the network formed. Moreover, the introduction of a capping molecule allows the network to delink forming smaller clusters and possibly returning them to a discrete nanocrystal state. This work aims to introduce a technique to form programmable gel assemblies from a variety of nanocrystals with different compositions.

Equilibrium assembly of metal oxide nanocrystals using dynamic covalent chemistry

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.