Observation of solvatochromism in CdSe colloidal quantum dots - art. no. 165315

We report solvatochromatic shifts in the absorption spectra of colloidal Cd Se quantum dots that are consistent with the change in polarization energy of the quantum-confined exciton. Good agreement with theory is found when t he screening from the ligand shell is included. The polarization energy als o accounts for the spectral shift between dilute dispersions and close-pack ed quantum dot solids. Experiments with pure and mixed-size quantum dot sol ids suggest that solvatochromism dominates the redshift observed with quant um dot (2-6-nm diameter) solids.