‘Clickable’ ZnO nanocrystals: the superiority of a novel organometallic approach over the inorganic sol–gel procedure

Abstract

We demonstrate for the first time a highly efficient Cu(I)-catalyzed alkyne–azide cycloaddition reaction on the surface of ZnO nanocrystals with retention of their photoluminescence properties. Our comparative studies highlight the superiority of a novel self-supporting organometallic method for the preparation of brightly luminescent and well-passivated ZnO nanocrystals over the traditional sol–gel procedure.