Nanocrystal-based luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) offer an attractive approach to preparing devices which collect and convert solar energy. The ligand environment of the nanocrystals in a LSC provides an opportunity to optimize the photophysical behavior of these devices. Our strategy is to prepare thiol and carboxylate ligands with ω-terminal functional groups that can be quickly and easily elaborated to compounds with the desired reactive or photophysical properties. We have synthesized and characterized ligands with thiol or carboxylate groups and a ω-terminal azide group. The thiol ligands prepared have the general formula HSCH2(CH2)nCH2N3, where n = 4, 6, 9. The carboxylate ligands prepared have the general formula HO2CCH2(CH2)nCH2N3, where n = 3, 5, 7, 9. The different carbon chain lengths in the ligands will allow us to explore the design features for optimizing nanocrystal behavior in the LSCs. The ω-terminal azide group can be used in copper-assisted 1,3-Huisgen cycloaddition “click” reactions for subsequent elaboration.

Synthesis of thiol and carboxylate ligands for nanocrystals in luminescent solar concentrators

253rd National Meeting (2017)

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