The Consequences of Water Interactions with Nitrogen-Containing Carbonaceous Quantum Dots—The Mechanistic Studies

ABSTRACT: Despite the importance of quantum dots in a wide range of biological, chemical, and physical processes, the structure of the molecular layers surrounding their surface in solution remains unknown. Thus, knowledge about the interaction mechanism of Nitrogen enriched Carbonaceous Quantum Dots’ (N-CQDs) surface with water—their natural environment—is highly desirable. A diffusive and Stern layer over the N-CQDs, characterized in situ, reveals the presence of anionic water clusters [OH(H2O)n]−. Their existence explains new observations: (i) the unexpectedly low adsorption enthalpy (ΔHads) in a pressure range below 0.1 p/ps, and ΔHads being as high as 190 kJ/mol at 0.11 p/ps; (ii) the presence of a “conductive window” isolating nature—at p/ps below 0.45—connected to the formation of smaller clu

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PROVIDER: S-EPMC9694419 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature