NMR studies of the surface structure and dynamics of semiconductor nanocrystals

H-1 NMR studies of thiophenol capping groups on cadmium sulfide nanocrystals demonstrate that the coverage of the capping molecule depends on the size of the nanocrystal. Data are presented which show that as the size of the nanocrystal increases, the coverage of thiophenol decreases. In addition, information about the overall tumbling of the nanocrystal and the motion of the capping groups relative to the surface can be obtained from linewidth studies, indicating that the rotation of the capping groups is hindered in the smaller nanocrystals (r almost-equal-to 12 angstrom) and becomes less so in larger nanocrystals (r almost-equal-to 20 angstrom). The coverage data are related to the electronic properties of this important class of compounds.