PDMS-based ligands for quantum dots in silicones

A process for the production of a wavelength converter comprising a siloxane polymer matrix with wavelength converter nanoparticles embedded therein, the process comprising:

• grafting siloxane grafting ligands to wavelength converter nanoparticles to form grafted wavelength converter nanoparticles;
• mixing short chain siloxane polymers with the grafted wavelength converter nanoparticles to form a first liquid having grafted wavelength converter nanoparticles dispersed in the short chain siloxane polymers, wherein the short chain siloxane polymers are non-grafting ligands;
• mixing the first liquid with curable siloxane polymers, wherein the curable siloxane polymers are non-grafting ligands;
• and
• curing the curable siloxane polymers, thereby producing the wavelength converter comprising the short chain siloxane polymers and the curable siloxane polymers that do not graft onto the grafted wavelength converter nanoparticles;
• wherein the short chain siloxane polymers have s1 Si backbone elements,
• wherein the siloxane grafting ligands comprise siloxane grafting ligands having x1 Si backbone elements, wherein at least one non-terminal Si backbone element of each siloxane grafting ligand comprises a side group having a grafting functionality;
• and wherein the curable siloxane polymers have y1 Si backbone elements;
• wherein x1/s1≥0.8, s1<y1 and wherein x1<y1.