Quantum Dots

Quantum Dots.
Quantum dots (QDs) or semiconductor nanocrystals are semiconductor particles whose size is in
few nanometres with optical and electronic properties that differ from those of larger particles
via quantum mechanical effects.As they are small particles (in nanometers) , quantum mechanical
effects are applicable on these particles, so they called quantum dots.
When a quantum dot is illuminated by UV light, an electron in the quantum dot can be excited to a
state of higher energy. In the case of a semiconducting quantum dot, this process corresponds to the
transition of an electron from the valence band to the conductance band. The excited electron can drop
back into the valence band releasing its energy as light. The color of that light depends on the energy
difference between the conductance band and the valence band, or the transition between discrete
energy states when the band structure is no longer well-defined in QDs.
Properties:
Quantum dots, or semiconductor nanocrystals, have unique properties that are determined by their size,
shape, composition, and structure1. Here are some key properties:
i. Size and Shape: Quantum dots have properties intermediate between bulk semiconductors and
discrete atoms or molecules. Their optoelectronic properties change as a function of both size and
shape2. Larger quantum dots (5–6 nm diameter) emit longer wavelengths, with colors such as
orange or red. Smaller quantum dots (2–3 nm) emit shorter wavelengths, yielding colors like blue
and green.
ii. Optical Properties: Quantum dots can emit any color of light from the same material by
changing the dot size. They have bright, pure colors along with high efficiencies, longer lifetimes,
and high extinction coefficients. When a quantum dot is illuminated by UV light, an electron in
the quantum dot can be excited to a state of higher energy. The excited electron can drop back
into the valence band releasing its energy as light.
iii. Quantum Mechanical Behavior: Quantum dots exhibit quantum mechanical behavior. The
interesting electronic properties of quantum dots arise from the specific size of their energy band
gaps1. They are sometimes referred to as artificial atoms, emphasizing their bound and discrete
electronic states, like naturally occurring atoms or molecules.
iv. Applications: Quantum dots find applications in several areas such as single-electron transistors,
solar cells, LEDs, lasers, single-photon sources, second-harmonic generation, quantum computing,
cell biology research, microscopy, and medical imaging.
Fabrication:
Quantum dots are precise crystals, so you make them in much the same way you'd make any other
precise semiconductors crystals. Typical methods include molecular beam epitaxy (MBE, in which
beams of atoms are fired at a "base" or substrate so a single crystal slowly builds up), ion
implantation (where ions are accelerated electrically and fired at a substrate), and X-ray lithography (a
kind of atomic-scale engraving process using X rays). Some recent research has been looking into
making quantum dots using biological processes, for example, by feeding metals to enzymes.
Advantages.
Quantum dots have several advantages due to their unique properties:
a. Color Control: The size of quantum dots can be easily manipulated to control the wavelength of
the photons emitted or the color of the emitted light. They can emit any color of light from the
same material by changing the dot size.
b. Energy Efficiency: Quantum dots need small amounts of energy to be excited and a single
wavelength source (e.g., ultraviolet) for all sizes.
c. Brightness and Stability: Quantum dots have a brighter emission and a higher signal-to-noise
ratio compared to organic dyes. They are stable fluorophores due to their inorganic composition,
which reduces the effect of photobleaching compared to organic dyes.
d. Wide Applications: They are widely used in the television industry due to ultra-high-definition
colors and increased effective viewing angles. They also have the capability to absorb light to
boost the output of photovoltaics, light sensors, photocatalysts, and other optoelectronic
devices They are used in solar cells to produce energy 24 hours a day.
e. Cost-Effective Production: Quantum dots can be prepared via low-cost solution phase chemistry
methods. They are amenable to high-speed printing techniques.
f. Longevity: A thin layer of quantum dots on normal glass could have a lifetime of up to 14 years.
g. Compatibility with Chip Technology: Quantum dots are compatible with chip technology.
Disadvantages.
Quantum dots, while having many advantages, also have several disadvantages:
1. Toxicity: Quantum dots based on materials like Cadmium Selenide (CdSe) are highly toxic and
require a stable polymer shell for safe use.
2. Control over Size and Optical Properties: The shells can alter the optical properties of the
quantum dots, and it is challenging to control the size of the particles. Their optical properties
may also show some defects, such as the blinking effect or low light intensity.
3. Structural and Photonic Stability: Quantum dots have presented several key disadvantages in
terms of structural and photonic stability
4. Susceptibility to Certain Buffer Compositions: Quantum dots are susceptible to certain buffer
compositions and possibly fats that may lead to blinking or complete loss of fluorescence in some
assay matrices
5. Manufacturing Challenges: There is difficulty in manufacturing blue emitting dots for QD-LED
technology.
Application:
Potential applications of quantum dots include single-electron transistors, solar

cells, LEDs, lasers, single-photon sources, second-harmonic generation, quantum computing, cell
biology research, microscopy, and medical imaging. Their small size allows for some QDs to be
suspended in solution, which may lead to their use in inkjet printing, and spin coating.

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Quantum Dots.

Potential applications of quantum dots include single-electron transistors, solar

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