The role of ligands in coinage-metal nanoparticles for electronics

Abstract

Coinage-metal nanoparticles are key components of many printable electronic inks. They can be combined with polymers to form conductive composites and have been used as the basis of molecular electronic devices. This review summarizes the multidimensional role of surface ligands that cover their metal cores. Ligands not only passivate crystal facets and determine growth rates and shapes; they also affect size and colloidal stability. Particle shapes can be tuned via the ligand choice while ligand length, size, ω-functionalities, and chemical nature influence shelf-life and stability of nanoparticles in dispersions. When particles are deposited, ligands affect the electrical properties of the resulting film, the morphology of particle films, and the nature of the interfaces. The effects of the ligands on sintering, cross-linking, and self-assembly of particles in electronic materials are discussed.

Stimuli-responsive self-assembly of nanoparticles

“…Arguably, the best known are sulfur-based ligands (mainly thiols), which have a high affinity to noble metal (mainly gold) NPs. 18 Catechols, phosphates, and related ligands can form robust monolayers on the surfaces of metal oxide NPs; for silica, silanes are typically the ligands of choice. A variety of functional groups can be installed on the other end (i.e., at the o position) of the ligand molecules, thus effectively decorating the outer surface of the NP.…”

Plasmonic Charge Transfers in Large‐Scale Metallic and Colloidal Photonic Crystal Slabs

“…[ 59 ] By using a conducting ligand, charge carrier transport can be enhanced. [ 60 ] The challenge is therefore to attach a ligand to the “coinage” metal nanoparticles in a way that favors the electronic exchange. However, this can no longer be referred to as a classic Schottky barrier because of the involvement of two different mechanisms: first, a system with a classical Schottky barrier relating to the transfer of a hot charge carrier to an adjacent semiconductor; and second, the transfer of a hot charge carrier to an attached adsorbent (i.e., polymer ligand).…”

Mono and dual hetero-structured M@poly-1,2 diaminoanthraquinone (M = Pt, Pd and Pt–Pd) catalysts for the electrooxidation of small organic fuels in alkaline medium

“…The surface morphology of the lm changed from nanorods to nanoparticles due to Pd or Pt nanoparticle deposition onto p1,2-DAAQ matrix, affecting the electrical properties of the resulting lm and its morphology. 31 Fig. 2(D and E) show images of both Pt/Pd/p1,2-DAAQ/GC and Pd/Pt/p1,2-DAAQ/GC electrodes, respectively, where the particle sizes have average diameters of 88.0 nm and 68.0 nm, respectively.…”