The surface of colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals (SC NCs) is of paramount importance dictating their size- and shape- controlled synthesis and affecting their optoelectronic properties. Surface manipulations enable the wet-chemical processability of the NCs. This characteristic, combined with their size, shape and composition tunable properties, has led to emergence of SC NCs as promising materials for diverse applications. However, the NC surface and its ligands layer, still remain under-explored. We will present aspects concerning interfaces in nanocrystals including the nanocrystal inorganic-ligands interface, the nanocrystal ligands layer, and lastly the ligands-solvent interface.  <br/><br/>A first aspect will address the role of core/shell interfaces in nanorods, where the use of graded shell composition greatly enhances the optical properties of seeded nanorods. Moving outwards, we will present a study of the size dependent dynamic properties of the ligand shell for core/shell quantum dots (QDs) of different sizes. Our results show that increasing the curvature of the surface (by reducing the radius of the QD), allows the ligands to move more freely within the ligand layer and thus decrease the effective viscosity of the ligand shell. This has been done by attaching organic dye molecules directly to the surface of the QDs and measuring their time dependent photo selection anisotropy. Lastly, we will introduce the effects of the ligands on the photocatalytic performance of hybrid semiconductor-metal nanoparticles.<br/>

Surface matters: Interface effects on optoelectronic behavior of semiconductor nanocrystals and hybrid semiconductor-metal nanoparticles

2019 Spring National Meeting

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.