Stabilization of ZnO quantum dots by preferred 1:2 interaction with a liquid crystal molecule

Zinc oxide (ZnO) quantum dots were synthesized in the presence of a columnar liquid crystalline perylene derivative. The liquid crystal molecules did not influence the nanoparticles' growth, and surprisingly they were efficient in stabilizing the colloidal dispersion over several months. For the first time, the quantity of ZnO units present in the ~4 nm sized ZnO nanoparticles was determined from the supramolecular interaction between the nanoparticles and the liquid crystal molecules as well as by analyzing the stoichiometry of the mixture. The quantity of ZnO units was also confirmed by theoretical studies performed by means of DFT calculations. The mixture was efficiently applied for methylene blue photodegradation.