Semiconductor Quantum Dots

Reviews / Votes

The fi eld of nanotechnology is growing.


The tunability of nano-objects such as


semiconductor quantum dots (SQDs) has


spurred interest in chemical synthesis. In


this regard, this book's arrival is timely. It


groups the various synthesis techniques for


popular SQDs, comprised of 295 pages


distributed among seven chapters and a


comprehensive subject index. Preparation


methods for II-VI, II-V, and IV-VI SQDs


are described in the fi rst three chapters. The


fi rst chapter introduces and develops various


organometallic routes to the synthesis


of Zn and Hg chalcogenides and anisotropic


growth of Cd-based chalcogenides such


as tetrapods and their alloys. Properties of


Group III phosphides, nitrides, arsenides,


and antimonides, which have different optical


properties compared to II-VI semiconductors,


are discussed in chapter 2. This


chapter also reviews the tuning of SQD


properties via dehalosilylation reactions


and non-coordinating solvent routes. It


is shown that the quantum yield can be


increased by varying precursors and their


quantities. Anisotropic nanoparticles with


rod-like morphologies have also been


examined in terms of challenges faced


during their synthesis. Lead-based chalcogenide


properties and synthesis routes are


outlined in chapter 3.


Chapter 4 deals with the synthesis of


other chalcogenides and pnictide-based


materials. Ternary copper-based chalcogenide


core-shell and II3-V2 quantum dots


include CuInSe2 and Cd3P2, respectively,


among many others. Chapter 5 discusses


surface passivation by means of synthesizing


an inorganic capping layer or a core-


shell structure. This thorough chapter is


of fundamental and practical interest. It


describes Type I and Type II core shells and


multiple shell structures targeting a higher


quantum yield. There are also sections


relating to III-V and IV-VI core-shell


structures. Chapter 6 unfolds ligand chemistry


and the purpose of ligands in shaping


the nanoparticles. Chapter 7 describes the


role that the capping agent or the surfactant


plays in terms of its linkable functional moieties.


Various surfactants have been brought


to the reader's attention, namely amines and


thiols, among others, along with surfactant


exchanges based upon them.


The book also covers "green chemistry"


synthesis aspects of SQDs and the use of


biological molecules as capping agents,


viz., DNA. Consideration is given to the


toxicity of the solvents and the search for


phosphine-free systems. Overall, the book


is eye-catching with ample illustrations and


interesting, as the chapter sequence is well


conceived. Moreover, every chapter brings


something new to the reader accompanied


by historical facts pertaining to various


SQD syntheses. As the book is clearly


subtitled "synthesis" and is dedicated to


organometallic and inorganic synthesis, it


would be most suited to synthetic chemists.


However, the physical properties of


various SQDs also are well illustrated, and


this volume is therefore of some interest to


materials scientists and nanotechnologists. -- Protima Rauwel * MRS Bulletin *