Crosslinked capsules of quantum dots by interfacial assembly and ligand crosslinking

Robust crosslinked capsules are produced from water droplets stabilized by oil/water interfacial assembly of norbornene-functionalized CdSe/ZnS core-shell quantum dots that can be crosslinked by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (see Figure). The mechanical integrity of the capsules is maintained after removal of the interface. An amphiphilic polyethylene glycol-substituted ruthenium benzylidene catalyst proved ideal for this interfacial polymerization.