Precursor Routes to Semiconductor Quantum Dots

Abstract

Quantum Dots are unique for two very important reasons both of which can potentially be commercially exploited: ? The electronic and optical properties of Quantum Dots are dependent on the particle size.

? As the Quantum Dot nanoparticle becomes smaller the ratio of the number of surface atoms to those in the interior increase. For example in very small particles greater than a third of all atoms reside on the surface. Such a high surface area is useful for catalysis.

The solutions to the right all contain the same semiconductor material (cadmium selenide, CdSe) but are different colours because unlike the bulk material, which is black, we have controlled the size and therefore the electronic and optical properties (colour) of the Quantum Dots. This property alone can be exploited for the use in a number of technologies such as security tagging and biological probes.

These small particles are one of the inventions spearheading a drive to control of materials with dimensions of the order of nanometres. The potential of the area of nanotechnology as being opened up by interactions between molecular biologists, chemists physisists and almost every type of engineer will be discussed. Applications of such technologies will range from computer chips through display screens to security printing. These new technologies will impact on all of our daily lives. Nanotechnology is attracting attention from all quarters from academia, venture capitalists to the general public. This lecture will explain why the area is both so topical and important.