Semiconductor nanocrystals, specifically cadmium telluride, are of great scientific and commercial interest due to their optoelectronic properties; however, improvements in their applications require the ability to controllably manipulate their surface. Halides are ideal for nanocrystal surface functionalization as their small size provides advantages in passivation, coupling, and processing compared to the ubiquitous long-chained aliphatic surfactants. Here, we present the controlled surface modification of cadmium telluride nanocrystals with chloride, bromide, and iodide while maintaining colloidal stability. XPS and ICP-MS confirm substitution of the native ligand with the halide species while absorption spectroscopy and TEM confirms maintenance of particle size and shape. Lastly, we demonstrate the use of selected area electron diffraction to quantify surface species effects on particle surface tension, yielding a correlation between the three halides. This study introduces a nanocrystal system with a quantitative handle on surface manipulations for a broad range of investigations and applications.

Halide surface modification of cadmium telluride nanocrystals

245th National Meeting (2013)

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