Preparation of Functional Nanoporous Silica for Encapsulation of CdSe Nanoparticles

Nanoporous silica–quantum dot composites are produced using an amphiphilic organotrialkoxysilane containing a thermally reversible urethane moiety. Nanoporous silica is formed by co‐condensation of the amphiphile and a silicate precursor (see Figure). After heating, the urethane dissociates to form an isocyanate group tethered to the silica. This can be used to make thiol‐functionalized nanoporous silica that can encapsulate cadmium selenide nanoparticles.