Chemical properties of quantum dots

Abstract

Quantum dots (QDs) are artificial nanoparticles that can transfer electrons. They are classified as metallic, such as silver and gold nanoparticles, and semiconductors, such as cadmium selenide and cadmium sulfide. When ultraviolet light hits these nanoscale crystals, they can emit light of various colors. These particles possess unique electronic, optical, magnetic, and physicochemical properties in nanocrystals, which have applications in composites, solar photovoltaic cells, photodetectors and photoconductors, catalysis, biological and environmental labels, light-emitting devices, and drug delivery. The objectives of this charter are to highlight the principle of QDs research, identify the parts and forms of QDs, determine the chemistry of quantum-dots-based materials, and demonstrate the chemical properties of QDs. The principal parameters of the chemical properties of QDs are the chemical compositions of the core, shell, and ligands, which provide them with unique properties for several applications. The differences in the chemical compositions of the core, shell, and ligands, structures, and coordination numbers are reflected in the chemical properties of QDs, such as stability, toxicity, reactivity, oxidation, and thermodynamic and kinetic properties that affect the optical properties. © 2023 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.