A semiconductor nanocrystal complex including a metal layer formed on the outer surface of a semiconductor nanocrystal core after synthesis of the semiconductor nanocrystal core and a method for preparing a nanocrystal complex comprising forming a metal layer on a semiconductor nanocrystal core after synthesis of the semiconductor nanocrystal core. The metal layer may passivate the surface of the semiconductor nanocrystal core and protect the semiconductor nanocrystal core from the effects of oxidation. Also provided is a semiconductor nanocrystal complex with a shell grown onto the metal layer formed on the semiconductor nanocrystal core. In this embodiment, the metal layer may prevent lattice mismatch between the semiconductor shell and the semiconductor nanocrystal core.