Ligand Exchange Reactions between Phosphonic Acids at TiO 2 Nanoparticle Surfaces

Understanding the surface chemistry of organic‐inorganic interfaces is a prerequisite for the design of novel nanohybrid materials. Herein, we disclose that phosphonate ligands tightly bind to TiO 2 nanoparticle surfaces and cannot be displaced even through repetitive decantation by methanol. However, 1D 1 H solution NMR analyses unambiguously show that they can be effectively exchanged by other phosphonic acids. A key enabler for successful measurements is the design and synthesis of a novel phosphonic acid ligand that stabilizes TiO 2 nanoparticles in toluene to form homogeneous colloidal conditions.