Fabrication of luminescent quantum dot thiol-yne nanocomposites with tailorable optical, thermal and mechanical properties
Inventors
Boyd, Darryl A. • Stewart, Michael H. • Susumu, Kimihiro • Oh, Eunkeu • Wissman, James P.
Assignees
Publication Number
US-12116519-B2
Publication Date
2024-10-15
Expiration Date
2038-10-05
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Abstract
This disclosure concerns a method of making a ligand for Quantum Dot functionalization, a method of making a functionalized Quantum Dot (QD) with a ligand, and a method of making a transparent luminescent quantum dot thiol-yne nanocomposite with tailorable optical, thermal, and mechanical properties. The prepolymer solution and functionalized Quantum Dot can be used in additive manufacturing.
Core Innovation
This disclosure concerns the development of polymeric materials created using thiol-yne chemistry that incorporate quantum dot (QD) nanoparticles to produce transparent, luminescent materials with tailorable mechanical, optical, and thermal properties. The invention entails the synthesis of novel ligands used to functionalize QDs, the incorporation of these functionalized QDs into a thiol-yne prepolymer matrix, followed by polymerization through photopolymerization or thermal curing to form luminescent QD thiol-yne nanocomposites.
The problem being solved arises from the need for improved materials for device displays that can simultaneously provide flexibility, stretchability, durability, scratch resistance, transparency, and shatterproof qualities while also enhancing color characteristics for brighter and more realistic visual output. Although polymers made via thiol-yne chemistry can produce multifunctional materials and QDs can improve color properties, there has been no report of combining these polymers with QDs to allow their use in device displays.
Claims Coverage
The patent includes multiple claims with several independent claims covering methods and products related to ligand synthesis for quantum dot functionalization.
Method of making a ligand for quantum dot functionalization
A method comprising mixing lipoic acid and carbonyldiimidazole, adding chloroform, reacting with butylamine in chloroform to form LA-butyl, then mixing LA-butyl with sodium borohydride to form a DHLA-butyl ligand.
Functionalization of quantum dots with DHLA-butyl ligand
Incorporating the synthesized DHLA-butyl ligand onto quantum dots enabling tuning of surface reactivity and promoting miscibility with polymer monomers.
Product of the ligand synthesis process
The DHLA-butyl ligand product characterized as inert, hydrophobic, non-charged, and acting as a neutral, nonreactive group that promotes miscibility with polymer monomers, facilitating incorporation into a polymer matrix.
The inventive features focus on novel methods and products for ligand synthesis to functionalize quantum dots with DHLA-butyl ligands, enabling tailored surface reactivity and integration into polymer nanocomposites with advantageous properties.
Stated Advantages
Creation of novel ligands for the functionalization of nanoparticles.
Fabrication of materials by either thermal polymerization or photopolymerization.
Materials with tailorable optical properties depending on the monomers and quantum dots used.
Materials with tailorable mechanical properties dependent on prepolymer formulation and incorporated quantum dots.
Materials with tailorable thermal properties based on monomers and quantum dots incorporated.
Documented Applications
Use as screens in device displays to impart flexibility, stretchability, durability, scratch resistance, transparency, and shatterproof qualities.
Use as materials in additive manufacturing processes.
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