Solubilization of quantum dot with new double functional reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer reagents

To improve dispersion property of alkyl chain modified-quantum dot (QD), we prepared new surfactants with polymerization initiator for surface modification of the QD. That is, sodium 2-alkylsulfanylthiocarbonylsulfanyl-2-methyl propionate with various alkyl chain length (C8, C10, C12, C14, and C16). These compounds also have a specific functional group, which has potential to initiate reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization with various vinyl monomers. So, we investigated the relation between chain length of these double functional RAFT reagents and critical micelle concentration (CMC), and the solubilization ability for QD (emission wavelength: 605 nm). As a result, the CMC depended on the chain length and the RAFT reagents with C12 and C14 chains indicated high solubilization abilities for QD due to their good hydrophilic-lipophilic balance. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.