Chapter 28 - Physical properties of quantum dots

Abstract

Quantum dots are a fascinating class of nanomaterials that gained much attention to be adopted in my application ranging from photocatalysis, photoelectric catalysis, biosensor, bioimaging, water splitting, optoelectronic devices, and others. The most promising quantum dots will be carbon and graphene quantum dots (GQDs). Carbon quantum dots are classified as carbon-based nanoparticle with sizes estimated to be around 10 nm. At the same time, GQDs are defined as graphene dots with particle size lesser than 100 nm and having a thickness of lesser than ten layers. Both the quantum dots possess excellent and unique physical properties such as tunable morphologies, excellent biocompatibility, high dispersibility, strong optical properties, and magnetism behavior. Therefore, the quantum dots' controllable size enables them to exhibit strong and tunable fluorescent properties and have highly photo-luminescent emissions. Thus, this led to the discovery of many others quantum dots-based material such as CdS, PbS, silicon-based quantum dots, graphitic carbon nitride quantum dots, molybdenum disulfide quantum dots, and others. Hence, this chapter will discuss the physical properties of all the different types of quantum dots for various applications and their challenges and future perspectives.