Dumbbell-like nanoparticles and a process of forming the same

摘要

Dumbbell-shaped or flower-shaped nanoparticles and a process of forming the same, wherein the process comprises forming a mixture of a nanoparticle with a precursor in a first solvent, wherein the nanoparticle comprises a hydrophobic outer coating; heating the mixture; cooling the mixture to room temperature; modifying the hydrophobic outer coating into a hydrophilic outer coating; precipitating a solid product from the mixture, and dispersing the product in a second solvent. The nanoparticles comprise any of a semiconducting, magnetic, and noble metallic material, wherein the nanoparticles comprise a first portion comprising any of PbSe, PbS, CdSe, CdS, ZnS, Au, Ag, Pd, and Pt, and wherein the precursor comprises any of a cationic, neutral or particulate Au, Ag, Pd, Pt, or transition metal (Fe, Co, Ni) precursors of Fe(CO)₅, Co(CO)₈, Ni(CO)₄ or their analogues. The first and second solvents comprise any of alkanes, arenes, ethers, nitrites, ketones, and chlorinated hydrocarbons.