Organic ligand and solvent kinetics during the assembly of CdSe nanocrystal arrays using infrared attenuated total reflection

The self-assembly of amorphous three-dimensional arrays of CdSe nanocrystal s is probed in real time using multiple-reflection, infrared attenuated tot al reflection spectroscopy by following the solvent and the organic ligands that passivate the nanocrystal surface. During the self-assembly of a 250 ML array from pyridine-capped CdSe nanocrystals in pyridine solvent, the so lvent molecules evaporate in similar to 30-40 min and the pyridine-capping molecules leave the array very slowly, apparently limited by diffusion, wit h similar to 30 +/- 8% remaining after three days. (C) 2000 American Instit ute of Physics. [S0003-6951(00)00325-9].