A New Approach to Well-Ordered Quantum Dots

Abstract

Extended ordered monolayers of ligand stabilized Au55 clusters are formed at the phase boundary between water and dichloromethane. The water phase, containing amphiphilic molecules like per-6-deoxy-6-thio-α-cyclodextrin (1) or poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (2), is covered by a thin film of a solution of [Au55(PPh3)12Cl6] in dichloromethane. The interaction of the cluster molecules with the thiol functions of 1 or the polymer chains of 2 form perfect cluster orders of hexagonal and cubic structure. The monolayers can be transferred onto solid substrates by a simple dipping process. The use of carbon coated copper grids allows the investigation of the monolayers by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Electron diffraction experiments under a microscope prove the hexagonal and cubic arrangements. The reason for the formation of the one or the other modification is still unknown.