We have successfully demonstrated an aqueous phase synthesis of polyethylene glycol (PEG) thiolate-protected CdSe nanoclusters for the first time. The CdSe nanoclusters displayed a first absorption peak ~430 nm, which indicated formation of magic-sized nanoclusters with possible composition of (CdSe)33,34. The PEG-thiolate protected CdSe nanoclusters displayed unique solubility properties. The resulting nanoclusters were easily  transferred to organic solvents from  aqueous medium by a simple solvent extraction method. The organic phase-extracted CdSe nanoclusters were readily be redispersed in a wide range of organic solvents such as CH3CN, CH2Cl2, DMF, THF, and CH3Cl. Most importantly, the CdSe nanoclusters, which were soluble in organic solvents, could also be redispersed in aqueous medium as well. We investigated different chain length PEGn-thiols, e.g., PEG4-SH, PEG6-SH, PEG12-SH, and PEG18-SH and found that the PEG-chain length significantly influenced the aqueous to organic phase transfer properties. Successful transfers were accomplished for PEGn-SH (n = 6, 12, 18).

Synthesis of PEG-thiolate-protected CdSe nanoclusters with unique solubility properties

244th National Meeting (2012)

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