Interfacing quantum dots and graphitic surfaces with chlorine atomic ligands

The performance of devices based on semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) improves both with stronger interface interactions among NCs and between NCs and solid electrode surfaces. The combination of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and solid (31)P CP/MAS NMR (cross-polarization/magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance) shows that the selective substitution of long organic chains by chlorine atomic ligands during the colloidal synthesis by the hot injection method promotes the adsorption of CdSe NCs to carbon sp(2) surfaces, leading to the formation of well-ordered NC monolayers on graphitic materials.