Surface Functionalised Nanoparticles

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for the production of surface functionalised nanoparticles, such as the production of semiconductor quantum dot nanoparticles incorporating surface-bound functional groups which increase the ease with which the dots can be employed in applications, such as incorporation into solvents, inks, polymers, glasses, metals, electronic materials and devices, bio-molecules and cells. The method comprises reacting first and second nanoparticle precursor species in the presence of a nanoparticle surface binding ligand X—Y—Z wherein X is a nanoparticle surface binding group, Y is a linker group, and Z is a functional group, in which Y comprises a polyethyleneglycol group and/or Z comprises an aliphatic group incorporating a terminal unsaturated group, said reaction being effected under conditions permitting binding of said surface binding ligand to the growing nanoparticles to produce said surface functionalised nanoparticles.

1 .- 37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . A method of producing surface-functionalized nanoparticles, the method comprising:
 reacting nanoparticle precursor species to form nanoparticles in the presence of surface-functionalizing ligands, whereby the surface-functionalizing ligands bind to surfaces of the nanoparticles in-situ;   wherein the surface functionalizing ligands have the formula X—Y—Z, wherein X is a nanoparticle surface binding group, Y is a linker group, and Z is a functional group, wherein Y comprises a polymer and/or Z comprises an aliphatic group incorporating an unsaturated group.   
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein nanoparticles are core nanoparticles. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the nanoparticles are core/shell nanoparticles. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the reacting and binding are in non-aqueous solvent. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the polymer comprises a polyethyleneglycol. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein Y comprises an aromatic group. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein X comprises a carboxylic acid group or a thiol group. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the unsaturated group is a terminally unsaturated group. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the unsaturated group is a vinyl group. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the surface functionalizing ligands comprise crosslinkable moieties. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  46 , further comprising crosslinking the surface functionalizing ligands. 
     
     
         48 . A surface-functionalized nanoparticle prepared by:
 reacting nanoparticle precursor species to form nanoparticles in the presence of surface-functionalizing ligands, whereby the surface-functionalizing ligands bind to surfaces of the nanoparticles in-situ;   wherein the surface functionalizing ligands have the formula X—Y—Z, wherein X is a nanoparticle surface binding group, Y is a linker group, and Z is a functional group, wherein Y comprises a polymer and/or Z comprises an aliphatic group incorporating an unsaturated group.   
     
     
         49 . A composition of matter comprising: nanoparticle precursor species and nanoparticles bound with surface-functionalizing ligands having the formula X—Y—Z, wherein X is a nanoparticle surface binding group, Y is a linker group, and Z is a functional group, wherein Y comprises a polymer and/or Z comprises an aliphatic group incorporating an unsaturated group.