Evidence for ligand-induced paramagnetism in CdSe quantum dots.
We report evidence that paramagnetism in CdSe QDs can be induced via manipulation of the surface chemistry. Using SQUID magnetometry and X-ray absorption spectroscopy, we demonstrate that the paramagnetic behavior of the CdSe QDs can be varied by changing the ligand end-group functionality of the passivating layer. Contrary to previous reports, no evidence for ferromagnetism was observed. The results suggest that the paramagnetism is induced via pi back-bonding between Cd 4d orbtials and ligands with empty pi* orbitals.
Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California 94550, USA. robert.meulenberg@maine.edu
Robert W
RW
Meulenberg
Jonathan R I
JR
Lee
Scott K
SK
McCall
Khalid M
KM
Hanif
Daniel
D
Haskel
Jonathan C
JC
Lang
Louis J
LJ
Terminello
Tony
T
van Buuren