title: Intramolecular Entropy and Size-Dependent Solution Properties of Nanocrystal-Ligands Complexes.
abstract: CdSe-stearates nanocrystal-ligands complex as a whole possess strongly temperature- and size-dependent yet well-defined solubility in small organic solvents, which shows little solvent effects as long as the complexes remained intact. A quantitative thermodynamic model is developed to describe such solubility behavior, which differs fundamentally from conventional models for micron colloids. The model reveals that the conformation entropy of the n-alkanoate chain released in dissolution greatly stabilize the colloidal solution but the strong chain-chain interdigitation between adjacent particles in solid diminishes the solubility. These understandings result in "entropic ligands" (see full disclosure in another report (10.1021/acs.nanolett.6b00730)) as the universal means to battle processability challenges of colloidal nanocrystals.
authors.affiliation: Center for Chemistry of Novel & High-Performance Materials, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou, 310027, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Yu
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Center for Chemistry of Novel & High-Performance Materials, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou, 310027, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Haiyan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Qin
authors.affiliation: Center for Chemistry of Novel & High-Performance Materials, Department of Chemistry, Zhejiang University , Hangzhou, 310027, People's Republic of China.
authors.forename: Xiaogang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Peng
keywords: Nanocrystal−ligands complex; enthalpy change; entropy change; intramolecular entropy; solubility