%0 Journal Article %A Baumgardner, William J. %A Whitham, Kevin %A Hanrath, Tobias %D 2013 %T Confined-but-Connected Quantum Solids via Controlled Ligand Displacement %U https://acs.figshare.com/articles/journal_contribution/Confined_but_Connected_Quantum_Solids_via_Controlled_Ligand_Displacement/2397454 %R 10.1021/nl401298s.s002 %2 https://acs.figshare.com/ndownloader/files/4037161 %K ligand displacement %K transmission electron microscopy %K dimethylformamide balances %K QDS structure %K interdot %K transport measurements show %K film %K PbSe quantum dots %K quantum confinement %K charge transport %K Excitonic absorption signatures %X Confined-but-connected quantum dot solids (QDS) combine the advantages of tunable, quantum-confined energy levels with efficient charge transport through enhanced electronic interdot coupling. We report the fabrication of QDS by treating self-assembled films of colloidal PbSe quantum dots with polar nonsolvents. Treatment with dimethylformamide balances the rates of self-assembly and ligand displacement to yield confined-but-connected QDS structures with cubic ordering and quasi-epitaxial interdot connections through facets of neighboring dots. The QDS structure was analyzed by a combination of transmission electron microscopy and wide-angle and small-angle X-ray scattering. Excitonic absorption signatures in optical spectroscopy confirm that quantum confinement is preserved. Transport measurements show significantly enhanced conductivity in treated films. %I ACS Publications