Resolving electron transfer kinetics at the nanocrystal/solution interface

A monolayer of alkanethiolate protected gold nanocrystals (NCs) is used as a model system to investigate electron transfer (ET) kinetics between a solution redox mediator and the NC core. The findings indicate a profound difference in the rate of ET depending on the redox couple used (FeMeOH versus Fe(CN)6(super 4-)), illustrating the importance of molecule specific properties, such as the effect of their relative hydrophilicities.