Functionalized photoactive nanocrystals have a variety of applications in energy conversion and bio-imaging. Current nanocrystal functionalization methods rely on uncontrolled, inefficient ligand exchange reactions. We present a new strategy for nanocrystal surface functionalization that does not require ligand exchange. We have successfully synthesized cadmium sulfide nanocrystals containing mixtures of olefin-terminated and saturated surface ligands. We have prepared 100%, 50% and 0% vinyl-capped CdS nanocrystals with 0%, 50% and 100% saturated ligands, respectively. Cross-olefin metathesis of the vinyl-capped quantum dots with different terminal olefins allows, for the first time, to control the type and degree of functionalization attainable per nanocrystal. These functionalized nanocrystals have been characterized using structural (XRD, TEM) and spectroscopic (UV-Vis, PL, IR) methods. Compared to ligand exchange, our method has high selectivity and yields, tolerates a large number of interesting functional groups, and maintains the native nanocrystal surface.

Synthesis and direct surface functionalization on vinyl-capped CdS quantum dots

243rd National Meeting (2012)

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