2.4
The General Methods Available for the Synthesis of Nanodimensional Materials
There is much in common with the synthesis of colloidal materials in the preparation of dispersions of nanodimensional materials. Indeed it is a moot point as to
whether such materials are large molecules or small colloidal particles. What
probably distinguishes ensembles of quantum dots and related materials from
• Flat panel
displays
• Solar cells
• Date storage
• Security application
• Luminescent probes
in biological
screening
applications
• Bar coding
• Chemical\biological
sensors
• Coloured lighting
• light emitting
diodes
• Single electron
devices
• quantum
computing
• Cosmetics
• Selfcleaning
windows
• Pigments
• Stained
glass
windows
• Sunscreen
Current
applications
1-5 Years
6-10 Years
10– 30Years
Fig. 2.3. Applications and future markets for nanoparticles and quantum dots.
300
400
500
600
700
800
Wavelength (nm)
Photoluminescence (a.u.)
Fig. 2.4. PL spectra and luminescence colors of some CdSe/ZnS core–shell structures.
2.4 The General Methods Available for the Synthesis of Nanodimensional Materials 17