Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles have unique properties that allow for potential uses in solar cells and electronic applications. For example, they exhibit a wide band gap, high exciton binding energy, and n-type semi conductivity. Functionalization of the surfaces of the nanoparticles is crucial for performance in application and this can be done by forming organic thin films on the surfaces by self-assembly. Phosphonic acids are often utilized for this purpose because they readily bind strongly to surfaces and are not easily removed. In this study, perfluorinated phosphonic acids modifications were utilized because they create a more stable surface due to the electronegativity of the perfluoro head group. Specifically, 12-pentafluorophenoxydodecyl phosphonic acid, 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl phosphonic acid, and (1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorododecyl) phosphonic acid have been used to form thin films on the nanoparticle surfaces. The modified nanoparticles were then characterized using infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were utilized to determine the particle size of the nanoparticles before and after modification. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to determine charge transfer effect of the modified nanoparticles. Thermogravimetric analysis was used distinguish between chemically and physically bound films on the modified nanoparticles.

Study of perfluorophosphonic acid surface modifications on zinc oxide nanoparticles

255th National Meeting (2018)

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