This is the most comprehensive book on nanocrystals on the market. It is an up-to-date monograph on an important aspect of nanoscience and technology. It opens with an elegant introduction including a brief historical account. Emphasis is then given to diverse synthetic methods, both chemical and physical, in addition to modern hybrid methods. Tables providing information at a glance, cartoons and schematic diagrams, make the monograph appealing to read.
Our society depends heavily on metals. They are ubiquitous construction materials, critical interconnects in integrated circuits, common coinage materials, and more. Excitingly, new uses for metals are emerging with the advent of nanoscience, as metal crystals with nanoscale dimensions can display new and tunable properties. The optical and photothermal properties of metal nanocrystals have led to cancer diagnosis and treatment platforms now in clinical trials, while, at the same time, the ability to tune the surface features of metal nanocrystals is giving rise to designer catalysts that enable more sustainable use of precious resources. These are just two examples of how metal nanocrystals are addressing important social needs.
Since the size, shape, and microstructure of nanocrystalline materials strongly impact physical and chemical properties, the development of new synthetic routes to nanocrystals with controlled composition and morphology is a key objective of the nanomaterials community. This objective is dependent on control of the nucleation and growth mechanisms that occur during the synthetic process, which in turn requires a fundamental understanding of both classical nucleation and growth and non-classical growth processes in nanostructured materials. Recently, a novel growth process called Oriented Attachment (OA) was identified which appears to be a fundamental mechanism during the development of nanoscale materials. OA is a special case of aggregation that provides an important route by which nanocrystals grow, defects are formed, and unique—often symmetry-defying—crystal morphologies can be produced. This growth mechanism involves reversible self-assembly of primary nanocrystals followed by reorientation of the assembled nanoparticles to achieve structural accord at the particle-particle interface, the removal of adsorbates and solvent molecules, and, finally, the irreversible formation of chemical bonds to produce new single crystals, twins, and intergrowths. Crystallization and Growth of Colloidal Nanocrystals provides a current understanding of the mechanisms related to nucleation and growth for use in controlling nanocrystal morphology and physical-chemical properties, and is essential reading for any chemist or materials scientist with an interest in using nanocrystals as building blocks for larger structures. This book provides a compendium for the expert reader as well as an excellent introduction for advanced undergraduate and graduate students seeking a gateway into this dynamic area of research.
This unique collection of knowledge represents a comprehensive treatment of the fundamental and practical consequences of size reduction in silicon crystals. This clearly structured reference introduces readers to the optical, electrical and thermal properties of silicon nanocrystals that arise from their greatly reduced dimensions. It covers their synthesis and characterization from both chemical and physical viewpoints, including ion implantation, colloidal synthesis and vapor deposition methods. A major part of the text is devoted to applications in microelectronics as well as photonics and nanobiotechnology, making this of great interest to the high-tech industry.
A review of recent advancements in colloidal nanocrystals and quantum-confined nanostructures, Nanocrystal Quantum Dots is the second edition of Semiconductor and Metal Nanocrystals: Synthesis and Electronic and Optical Properties, originally published in 2003. This new title reflects the book’s altered focus on semiconductor nanocrystals. Gathering contributions from leading researchers, this book contains new chapters on carrier multiplication (generation of multiexcitons by single photons), doping of semiconductor nanocrystals, and applications of nanocrystals in biology. Other updates include: New insights regarding the underlying mechanisms supporting colloidal nanocrystal growth A revised general overview of multiexciton phenomena, including spectral and dynamical signatures of multiexcitons in transient absorption and photoluminescence Analysis of nanocrystal-specific features of multiexciton recombination A review of the status of new field of carrier multiplication Expanded coverage of theory, covering the regime of high-charge densities New results on quantum dots of lead chalcogenides, with a focus studies of carrier multiplication and the latest results regarding Schottky junction solar cells Presents useful examples to illustrate applications of nanocrystals in biological labeling, imaging, and diagnostics The book also includes a review of recent progress made in biological applications of colloidal nanocrystals, as well as a comparative analysis of the advantages and limitations of techniques for preparing biocompatible quantum dots. The authors summarize the latest developments in the synthesis and understanding of magnetically doped semiconductor nanocrystals, and they present a detailed discussion of issues related to the synthesis, magneto-optics, and photoluminescence of doped colloidal nanocrystals as well. A valuable addition to the pantheon of literature in the field of nanoscience, this book presents pioneering research from experts whose work has led to the numerous advances of the past several years.
This brief provides a comprehensive overview of contemporary research and materials technologies utilizing oriented-attachment nanocrystals (OA NCs) for the energy conversion devices. Starting with a historical introduction, the book presents basic theory with an emphasis on thermodynamic and kinetic models of the oriented-attachment nanocrystals growth. Further chapters review recent advances in the synthesis, characterization, and application of the oriented-attachment nanocrystals in fuel cells, batteries, supercapacitors, solar cells and photocatalysis. This book will appeal to researchers and scholars from a variety of disciplines including electrochemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, physics and mechanical engineering.
Defects in Nanocrystals: Structural and Physico-Chemical Aspects discusses the nature of semiconductor systems and the effect of the size and shape on their thermodynamic and optoelectronic properties at the mesoscopic and nanoscopic levels. The nanostructures considered in this book are individual nanometric crystallites, nanocrystalline films, and nanowires of which the thermodynamic, structural, and optical properties are discussed in detail. The work: Outlines the influence of growth processes on their morphology and structure Describes the benefits of optical spectroscopies in the understanding of the role and nature of defects in nanostructured semiconductors Considers the limits of nanothermodynamics Details the critical role of interfaces in nanostructural behavior Covers the importance of embedding media in the physico-chemical properties of nanostructured semiconductors Explains the negligible role of core point defects vs. surface and interface defects Written for researchers, engineers, and those working in the physical and physicochemical sciences, this work comprehensively details the chemical, structural, and optical properties of semiconductor nanostructures for the development of more powerful and efficient devices.
A physics book that covers the optical properties of quantum-confined semiconductor nanostructures from both the theoretical and experimental points of view together with technological applications. Topics to be reviewed include quantum confinement effects in semiconductors, optical adsorption and emission properties of group IV, III-V, II-VI semiconductors, deep-etched and self assembled quantum dots, nanoclusters, and laser applications in optoelectronics.
