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All‐Aqueous Synthesis of Silica‐Encapsulated Quantum Dots with Functional Shells
Author(s) -
Feng Huanhuan,
ten Hove Jan Bart,
Zheng Tingting,
Velders Aldrik H.,
Sprakel Joris
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
european journal of inorganic chemistry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.667
H-Index - 136
eISSN - 1099-0682
pISSN - 1434-1948
DOI - 10.1002/ejic.201700886
Subject(s) - quantum dot , chemistry , photoluminescence , dispersity , surface modification , nanotechnology , luminescence , colloid , shell (structure) , nanoparticle , dopant , aqueous solution , chemical engineering , doping , materials science , optoelectronics , organic chemistry , composite material , engineering
We present a simple yet versatile method for encapsulating water‐dispersed quantum dots (QDs) in a silica shell. As our approach, does not require ligand exchange, the colloidal stability of the quantum dots is maintained throughout the process, which results in monodisperse core‐shell particles of individual quantum dots with a well‐defined silica shell whose thickness can be accurately controlled. While other methods often result in a reduction of luminescence, our approach can retain all or even increases the quantum efficiency of the semiconductor dots. We also show how amine‐functional groups can be expressed at the surface of the silica shell, while retaining QD photoluminescence properties, allowing further surface functionalization. Finally, we demonstrate the versatility of this strategy by including dopants into the silica shells to tailor the spectral response of the core‐shell particles by energy transfer.