A ''nanocrystal'' is a material particle having at least one dimension smaller than 100 nanometres, based on quantum dots
[
] (a
nanoparticle
A nanoparticle or ultrafine particle is usually defined as a particle of matter that is between 1 and 100 nanometres (nm) in diameter. The term is sometimes used for larger particles, up to 500 nm, or fibers and tubes that are less than 10 ...
) and composed of
atoms
Every atom is composed of a nucleus and one or more electrons bound to the nucleus. The nucleus is made of one or more protons and a number of neutrons. Only the most common variety of hydrogen has no neutrons.
Every solid, liquid, gas ...
in either a
single- or
poly-crystalline
A crystal or crystalline solid is a solid material whose constituents (such as atoms, molecules, or ions) are arranged in a highly ordered microscopic structure, forming a crystal lattice that extends in all directions. In addition, macros ...
arrangement.
The size of nanocrystals distinguishes them from larger
crystals
A crystal or crystalline solid is a solid material whose constituents (such as atoms, molecules, or ions) are arranged in a highly ordered microscopic structure, forming a crystal lattice that extends in all directions. In addition, macros ...
. For example, silicon nanocrystals can provide efficient light emission while bulk silicon does
not
[
] and may be used for memory components.
[
]
When embedded in solids, nanocrystals may exhibit much more complex melting behaviour than conventional solids
[
] and may form the basis of a special class of solids.
[
] They can behave as single-domain systems (a volume within the system having the same atomic or molecular arrangement throughout) that can help explain the behaviour of
macroscopic
The macroscopic scale is the length scale on which objects or phenomena are large enough to be visible with the naked eye, without magnifying optical instruments. It is the opposite of microscopic.
Overview
When applied to physical phenomena a ...
samples of a similar material without the complicating presence of
grain boundaries
In materials science, a grain boundary is the interface between two grains, or crystallites, in a polycrystalline material. Grain boundaries are two-dimensional defects in the crystal structure, and tend to decrease the electrical and therma ...
and other
defects.
Semiconductor
A semiconductor is a material which has an electrical conductivity value falling between that of a conductor, such as copper, and an insulator, such as glass. Its resistivity falls as its temperature rises; metals behave in the opposite way ...
nanocrystals having dimensions smaller than 10 nm are also described as
quantum dot
Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductor particles a few nanometres in size, having optical and electronic properties that differ from those of larger particles as a result of quantum mechanics. They are a central topic in nanotechnology. When the ...
s.
Synthesis
The traditional method involves molecular precursors, which can include typical metal salts and a source of the anion. Most semiconducting nanomaterials feature chalcogenides (S
S−, Se
S−, Te
S−) and pnicnides (P
3−, As
3−, Sb
3−). Sources of these elements are the silylated derivatives such as
bis(trimethylsilyl)sulfide (S(SiMe
3)
2 and
tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphine
Tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphine is the organophosphorus compound with the formula P(SiMe3)3 (Me = methyl). It is a colorless liquid that ignites in air and hydrolyses readily.
Synthesis
Tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphine is prepared by treating trimeth ...
(P(SiMe
3)
3).
Some procedures use surfactants to solubilize the growing nanocrystals.
[ In some cases, nanocrystals can exchange their elements with reagents through atomic diffusion.]
Applications
Filter
Nanocrystals made with zeolite
Zeolites are microporous, crystalline aluminosilicate materials commonly used as commercial adsorbents and catalysts. They mainly consist of silicon, aluminium, oxygen, and have the general formula ・y where is either a metal ion or H+. These p ...
are used to filter crude oil into diesel fuel at an ExxonMobil
ExxonMobil Corporation (commonly shortened to Exxon) is an American multinational oil and gas corporation headquartered in Irving, Texas. It is the largest direct descendant of John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil, and was formed on November 3 ...
oil refinery
An oil refinery or petroleum refinery is an industrial process plant where petroleum (crude oil) is transformed and refined into useful products such as gasoline (petrol), diesel fuel, asphalt base, fuel oils, heating oil, kerosene, liq ...
in Louisiana
Louisiana , group=pronunciation (French: ''La Louisiane'') is a state in the Deep South and South Central regions of the United States. It is the 20th-smallest by area and the 25th most populous of the 50 U.S. states. Louisiana is bord ...
at a cost less than conventional methods.[
]
Wear resistance
Nanocrystals' level of hardness is closer to the optimized molecular hardness which attracts the wear resistance industry
See also
* Cadmium telluride
Cadmium telluride (CdTe) is a stable crystalline compound formed from cadmium and tellurium. It is mainly used as the semiconducting material in cadmium telluride photovoltaics and an infrared optical window. It is usually sandwiched with ca ...
nanocrystals
* Magnetic nanoparticles
* Nanocrystal solar cell
Nanocrystal solar cells are solar cells based on a substrate with a coating of nanocrystals. The nanocrystals are typically based on silicon, CdTe or CIGS and the substrates are generally silicon or various organic conductors. Quantum dot sol ...
* Nanocrystalline silicon
* Nanoparticle
A nanoparticle or ultrafine particle is usually defined as a particle of matter that is between 1 and 100 nanometres (nm) in diameter. The term is sometimes used for larger particles, up to 500 nm, or fibers and tubes that are less than 10 ...
* Quantum dot
Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductor particles a few nanometres in size, having optical and electronic properties that differ from those of larger particles as a result of quantum mechanics. They are a central topic in nanotechnology. When the ...
References
External links
Elan Drug Technology
Nanocrystalline Soft Magnetic Materials
Jose-Yacaman article on gold/silver nanocrystals
{{Authority control
Nanomaterials
Quantum dots
Zeolites