The Subtle Chemistry of Colloidal, Quantum-Confined Semiconductor Nanostructures

Abstract

Nanoscale colloidal semiconductor structures with at least one dimension small enough to experience quantum confinement effects have captured the imagination and attention of scientists interested in controlling various chemical and photophysical processes. Aside from having desirable quantum confinement properties, colloidal nanocrystals are attractive because they are often synthesized in low-temperature, low-cost, and potentially scalable manners using simple benchtop reaction baths. Considerable progress in producing a variety of shapes, compositions, and complex structures has been achieved. However, there are challenges to overcome in order for these novel materials to reach their full potential and become new drivers for commercial applications. The final shape, composition, nanocrystal-ligand structure, and size can depend on a delicate interplay of precursors, surface ligands, and other compounds that may or may not participate in the reaction. In this Perspective, we discuss current efforts toward better understanding how the reactivity of the reagents can be used to produce unique and complex nanostructures.

Fully‐Inorganic Trihalide Perovskite Nanocrystals: A New Research Frontier of Optoelectronic Materials

“…[23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32]119,120] As known to all, for semiconductor colloidal NCs to exhibit quantum confinement effect, the size must be comparable or smaller than the exciton Bohr radius. [23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32]119,120] As known to all, for semiconductor colloidal NCs to exhibit quantum confinement effect, the size must be comparable or smaller than the exciton Bohr radius.…”

Facile self-assembly and stabilization of metal oxide nanoparticles

“…for quantum dots [9] or medical applications [8]). However, the controlled processing and assembly of very small nanoparticles into nanostructured materials are very challenging [10][11][12].…”

From rational design of organometallic precursors to optimized synthesis of core/shell Ge/GeO2nanoparticles

“…However, these studies focused on GeI 2 as a Ge(II) precursor and surprisingly, only a few studies which concentrated on the use of novel Ge precursors have been reported in the literature despite the success encountered for other semiconductors. 10,11 To the best of our knowledge, only Boyle et al have explored the reactivity of two families of tailored germanium(II) compounds: Ge(NR 2 ) 2 and Ge(OR) 2 , R being alkyl, aryl and silyl moities. 4,9,12 Unfortunately, the shape control remains unsatisfactory compared to other strategies presumably.…”