A quantum dot binding ligand comprising the structure of formula I: wherein each R 1 is independently selected from the group consisting of C 1-20 alkyl, C 1-20 heteroalkyl, C 2-20 alkenyl, C 2-20 alkynyl, cycloalkyl and aryl, each optionally substituted with one or more -Si(R 1a) 3 groups; each R 1a is independently selected from the group consisting of C 1-6 alkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl; each L is independently selected from the group consisting of C 3-8 alkylene, C 3-8 heteroalkylene, C 3-8 alkylene-O-C 2-8 alkylene, C 3-8 alkylene-(C NH-C 2-8 alkylene) q, C 3-8 heteroalkylene-(C NH-C 2-8 alkylene) q, and C 3-8 alkylene-O-C 1-8 alkylene-(C NH-C 2-8 alkylene) q; each R 2 is independently selected from the group consisting of NR 2a R 2b and C OH; each of R 2a and R 2b are independently selected from the group consisting of H and C 1-6 alkyl; each R 3 is independently selected from the group consisting of C 1-20 alkyl, C 2-20 alkenyl, C 2-20 alkynyl, cycloalkyl and aryl; each R 4 is independently selected from the group consisting of C 8-20 alkyl, C 8-20 heteroalkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl, each optionally substituted with one or more -Si(R 1a) 3 groups; each R 5 is independently selected from the group consisting of C 1-20 alkyl, C 2-20 alkenyl, C 2-20 alkynyl, -L-(R 2) q, cycloalkyl and aryl; subscript m is an integer from 5 to 50; subscript n is an integer from 0 to 50; and subscript q is an integer from 1 to 10; wherein when subscript n is 0, then R 1 is selected from the group consisting of C 8-20 alkyl, C 8-20 heteroalkyl, C 8-20 alkenyl, C 8-20 alkynyl, cycloalkyl and aryl, each optionally substituted with one or more -Si(R 1a) 3 groups; and wherein at least one of R 1 and R 4 is selected from the group consisting of C 8-20 alkyl and C 8-20 heteroalkyl, wherein each alkyl group is optionally substituted with one -Si(R 1a) 3 group. each R 1 is independently selected from the group consisting of C 1-20 alkyl, C 1-20 heteroalkyl, C 2-20 alkenyl, C 2-20 alkynyl, cycloalkyl and aryl, each optionally substituted with one or more -Si(R 1a) 3 groups; each R 1a is independently selected from the group consisting of C 1-6 alkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl; each L is independently selected from the group consisting of C 3-8 alkylene, C 3-8 heteroalkylene, C 3-8 alkylene-O-C 2-8 alkylene, C 3-8 alkylene-(C NH-C 2-8 alkylene) q, C 3-8 heteroalkylene-(C NH-C 2-8 alkylene) q, and C 3-8 alkylene-O-C 1-8 alkylene-(C NH-C 2-8 alkylene) q; each R 2 is independently selected from the group consisting of NR 2a R 2b and C OH; each of R 2a and R 2b are independently selected from the group consisting of H and C 1-6 alkyl; each R 3 is independently selected from the group consisting of C 1-20 alkyl, C 2-20 alkenyl, C 2-20 alkynyl, cycloalkyl and aryl; each R 4 is independently selected from the group consisting of C 8-20 alkyl, C 8-20 heteroalkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl, each optionally substituted with one or more -Si(R 1a) 3 groups; each R 5 is independently selected from the group consisting of C 1-20 alkyl, C 2-20 alkenyl, C 2-20 alkynyl, -L-(R 2) q, cycloalkyl and aryl; subscript m is an integer from 5 to 50; subscript n is an integer from 0 to 50; and subscript q is an integer from 1 to 10;