A method for removing an organic ligand from a surface of a particle including: obtaining a particle having an organic ligand disposed on a surface thereof; contacting the particle with an alkylammonium salt represented by Chemical Formula 1: NR′4+A−  Chemical Formula 1 wherein groups R′ are the same or different and are each independently hydrogen or a C1 to C20 alkyl group, provided that at least one group R′ is an alkyl group, and A is a hydroxide anion, a halide anion, a borohydride anion, a nitrate anion, a phosphate anion, or a sulfate anion; and heat-treating the particle to carry out a reaction between the alkylammonium salt and the organic ligand.