Scaling laws at the nanoscale differ from the bulk due for reasons ranging from the high surface energy of nanoparticles (NPs) to quantum confinement. Here we study core-shell NPs because the strain in their shell varies as a function of shell thickness. Core-shell NPs are unique because their photophysical properties can be tuned based on their composition, size, and shape.  Organic ligands serve as a tool for functionalizing these nanoparticles. We seek to determine how the strain in the shell of a Type II core-shell nanostructure affects ligand binding at equilibrium.  This is achieved by using a fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) based method for quantifying the initial ligand binding events. As strain increases in the shell, the ligand binding constant is expected to increase. Computationally, the use of density functional theory would provide insight into the orientation of these structures, and the energetics of adsorption and desorption.

Effect of strain on ligand binding to Cadmium chalcogenide nanocrystals

248th National Meeting (2014)

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