Quantifying the Thermodynamics of Ligand Binding to CsPbBr 3 Quantum Dots
We report that cesium lead halide perovskites are an emerging class of quantum dots (QDs) that have shown promise in a variety of applications; however, their properties are highly dependent on their surface chemistry. To this point, the thermodynamics of ligand binding remain unstudied. 1 H NMR methods are used to quantify the thermodynamics of ligand exchange on CsPbBr 3 QDs. Both oleic acid and oleylamine native ligands dynamically interact with the CsPbBr 3 QD surface, having individual surface densities of 1.2–1.7 nm –2 . 10-Undecenoic acid undergoes an exergonic exchange equilibrium with bound oleate (K eq = 1.97) at 25 °C while 10-undecenylphosphonic acid undergoes an irreversible ligand exchange. Undec-10-en-1-amine exergonically exchanges with oleylamine (K eq = 2.52) at 25 °C. Finally, exchange occurs with carboxylic acids, phosphonic acids, and amines on CsPbBr 3 QDs without etching the nanocrystal surface; increases in steady-state PL intensities are correlated with more strongly bound conjugate base ligands.