ASSIGNMENT 1

FUNDAMENTALS AND APPLICATIONS QUANTUM DOTS

Submitted to Ma’am Faryal Ch. Rubrics Marks

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Submitted by Hafiza Fajer-e- Noor Concept Clarity
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Major Chemistry Presentation, /0.20

Grammar and
Introductory
Course formatting
Quantum Mechanics
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Semester 5
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Dated 04-09-2019 less than 17%
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KINNAIRD COLLEGE FOR WOMEN

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 Table of Content

Contents Page
Introduction………………………………………………………………………………………..3
Fundamentals of Quantum Dots………………………………………………………………...…3
Basic Structure of Quantum dot……………………………………………………………………3
Working of Quantum dots…………………………………………………………………………3
Unique property……………………………………………………………………………...……4
Optical Property………………………………………………………………………………...…4
Fluorescence …………………………………………………………………………………..….4
Quantum Confinement Effect…………………………………………………………………..…5
Making of Quantum dot…………………………………………………….…………………..…5
Colloidal Syntheses……………………………………………………….…………………….…5
Lithography ……………………………………………………………………………………….6
Epitaxy ……………………………………………………………………………………………6
Applications of Quantum Dot………………………………………………………….….………6
Bioimaging …………………………………………………………………………………..……6
Medical Imaging…………………………………………………………………………..………7
Locating Cancer Cell………………………………………………………………………………7
Drug Delivery………………………………………………………………………………...……7
Computing …………………………………………………………………………..……………8
Light Emitting device………………………………………………………………..……………8
Liquid crystal Display………………………………………………………………..……………8
Phosphors………………………………………………………………………………….………8
Solar Cells……………………………………………………………………………………...….9
Photodetectors………………………………………………………………………………..……9
Conclusion……………………………………………………………………………………….10
References…………………………………………………………………….………………….11

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Introduction

The name of quantum dot is due to it is a speckle of matter.it is concentrated at a point. Quantum
dot is nanosized particles. It is tiny ranges about 2-10nm in diameter. It is made of any
semiconductor (having both properties of conductor and insulator) like silicone, cadmium,
cadmium sulfide, cadmium selenide etc. but it also acts as crystal (acts as individual atom) that’s
why it is called “artificial atoms”. It is zero dimensional and having energy levels according to
Quantum theory. It composed of umber of atoms. There are two main unique properties of quantum
dots depend upon the size like optical and electrical properties.
Fundamentals of Quantum Dots

The fundamental properties of quantum dots are given below:

Basic Structure of Quantum dot

The basic structure of quantum dot is given below where it consists of different shells creating
variable characteristics of quantum dot. It consists of semiconductor core which is covered with
another semiconductor having large energy gap.[2]

Figure 1: Structure of quantum dot

Working of Quantum dots

If we discuss the working of the quantum dot, we can say that we go deeper in quantum physics it
introduced the quantum dot. It has ability to emit the light and the different wavelength gives
different colors of light depend on the size.
Quantum dot emits the light when the excitation of photon is occurred. The photon is excited from
low level to high energy gap level under the influence of the light. When light is not present then
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photon present in the relax form and fall at low energy band (non-radiate). This is a lower state or
re-radiate or recombine state. The difference of energy levels between the bottom of the conduction
band and the top of the valence band is called band gap or energy gap.
Unique property

The regular semiconductor such as silicone called bulk matter, forms by the joining of adjacent
gap of atoms and molecules. The number of energy level overlapping decreases size of quantum
dot reaches to nanosized and width of the band increases. As compared to bulk matter, the tiny
quantum dot has higher energy gap between valance band and conduction band. [1]

Figure 2 & 3: Working of Quantum dot & Its Unique Property

Optical Property

The most important property of quantum dot, it gives color light depend on the size and we can
control during the syntheses. This is a result of the effect of quantum confinement. Smaller size of
the dot emits high energy such as blue color light. While lager size of the quantum dot emits
smaller energy level such as red light. The energy band is inversely proportional to the size of the
quantum dot. There is no direct relation between them. To change the color, e can change the size
of the energy band gap. Due to these optical properties, quantum dots show varieties of
applications.[5]
Fluorescence

As we discussed above, the fluorescence occurs when electron excited from conduction to valence
bend. Range of wavelength of quantum dot is ultraviolet (UV) to infrared (IR). Quantum dots also
show photostability, more molar extinction coefficients and more quantum yield.[4]

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 Figure 4, 5: Optical Property and Fluorescence
Quantum Confinement Effect

This effect is observed when the size of the size of the QD smaller than the wavelength of the
electron. So, if we observe, as the size of the quantum dot decreases and reaches to nanoscale,
confining dimensions also decreases which makes the discrete of energy level. Due to this, there
is increase of band gap and ultimately increases the energy band gap. Hence, it shows that
wavelength and band are inversely proportional to each other. When the wavelength decreases, the
band gap increases and emit the blue radiations.

Figure 6: Density of Electric state v/s Energy

Making of Quantum dot

Quantum can be made by three methods

Colloidal Syntheses

This method gives large number of quantum dots at one time. This is a cheapest method and occurs
at non extreme condition. In this method we use group 2-6 elements such as CdS, CdSe etc. There
is immersion of semiconductor in such as silicate glass with 1% of semiconductor phase such as
CdS, CdSe etc. after heating several hours, it gives nearly equal sized microcrystals.

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Lithography

Formation of quantum dot is occurred by the electron beam lithography having following steps.
I. Two-dimensional quantum well is nanostructured. Inside it is made of semiconductor with
another semiconductor with the small band gap. This cover with the polymer which acts as
resistant which is hit by electron beam.
II. Once the beam traces, the resist is removed.
III. After this, a metal of thin layer is placed on it.
IV. Metal layer exposed the electron beam when the solvent is added to clean the surface
V. For the etch material surface, active ions are used
VI. Then quantum dot is formed as multiple layers
It creates problems during defect formation, low contamination and poor density.
Epitaxy

Epitaxy uses a bottom-up material starting form atom, molecules and clusters and end with
assembly of these materials and form bulk material. [3]

Figure 7, 8: Lithography and Epitaxy

Applications of Quantum Dot

Following are the applications of quantum dots:

Bioimaging

Quantum dots are brighter than the fluorescent proteins and organic dyes due to low photostability
and quantum yield in organic dyes. They were used to irradiate the interior of the cells. Quantum
dots are more popular than traditional fluorescent because of 100 times more stable and 20 times
brighter. Quantum dots become more brighter when it is established with inorganic synthetic
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technique. Fluorescens are stable and well dispersed in the aqueous medium and required wide
range of pH. Numerous researchers have reached to develop the quantum dots water to disperse.
Due to this in vivo and in vitro imaging are devoted to understanding the embryogenesis, diagnose
the disease, and lymphocyte immunology. Another benefit to monitor the cellular process with
high resolution at frozen temperature by quantum dot (specified color) attach to the receptor cells.
Medical Imaging

There was an experiment on the human red blood cell by quantum dot. It was labelled and targeted
on the specific membrane protein. The purple color had shown which indicated the nucleus of the
malaria parasites. The purple color increases as the malaria virus increase
Locating Cancer Cell

Quantum dots also played vital role to indicate the cancer cell. So, the quantum dots are injected
in the tissue of the living organism, into the lots of cell or into single cell. The quantum dots find
the cancer and bound with the cancer cell to locate it showing illumination when the fluorescent
occur. In figure shows that silicon quantum dots are locating the cancer cell.
Drug Delivery

As we find the cancer through the quantum dot, we can also deliver the drugs through quantum
dot to treat the any disease not only cancer but also other diseases like AIDS. Quantum attach to
that drug just like nanoparticles attach with it. The quantum dots consist of the specified receptor
cell to attach with the target cell. Then quantum dots bind with the cancer cell, but it creates toxic
side effects because it effects the whole body not only the cancer after the experiment, so that the
researches are studying the quantum dot.

Figure 9, 10 & 11: Bioimaging, Malaria cells in blue color by QD & Locating cancer cells

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Computing

For use in solid state quantum, quantum dot is one of the most favorable applicants. If we want to
apply small voltage to the leads, through quantum dots we can control the flow of electron, we
will provide the precise measurement of spin and can create more properties of the computation.
Computers and quantum applications performance might be possible through qubits or quantum
dots or a way to perform operations.
Light Emitting device

Light emitting devices are used in our entire cities, homes, offices and streets during day time. To
produce different color including quantum light emitting devices are made. It contains high energy
and use only small watts. It concentrates the color that the human eye can observe because its
demonstrations more accurate. The QLED emits the light with full width, the narrow emission and
variation in size make LED more attractive. Moreover, there is fabrication in the optoelectronic
devices made of QD that based on the LED, make it light in weight and create large area prospects
and produce low cost product. In future, visible quantum dots will form which provide high
luminance, color purity and low power consumption.[6]
Liquid crystal Display

For the backlighting, the conventional liquid crystal display was used with the white light source.
But in the present generation LCDs, QD filters and blue LED present in the backlighting system.
The constitutes of filter is red and green quantum dots which convert the blue into red and green.
Due to narrow length and high width, resulting of blue, green and red lights. It creates wide range
of hue, leading to more contrast and bright image will be formed. Due to this arrangement, it
consumes the low energy. The filter of QD is formed in three configurations i.e. on-edge, on chip,
and on-surface. In the “on-edge” the inside the glass rails, the blend is put near the LED in the
package. “on-chip”, at the top of the blue chip in the LED box, the and green quantum are placed.
While “on-surface” there is integration among the LCD and LED matrix of the QD in form of film.
Phosphors

For the horticulture lighting and back lighting, the quantum dots are used as phosphors. For the
main light source, the blue LED is used because it is cheapest and more efficient, and the similar

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source used in LCD. There are only two configurations such as on-chip and remote phosphors.
The “remote phosphors” QD places in form of film places after the blue LED. While “on-chip”
the QD blend is placed in the LED and top of the blue chip. The benefit of this white light provides
the associated color temperature and the color range index.
• Red QD polymer is used in the greenhouse of horticulture LED for the efficient growth of the
plants
• The chlorophyll mostly captures blue and red waves of light and reflect the green wave.
• It provides high photosynthetic polymer composite to plants without overheating them.
• It also consumes less energy.

Figure 12, 13 & 14: Application of QD in LED, LCD & Phosphors

Solar Cells

Solar cells provide clean and new source of power. Let’s imagine, the paint on your walls made of
invisible layer of quantum dot cell, it could provide power to your house, in shine or rain. It is used
in calculators and use to generate the electricity. If we use quantum dots in solar cells, it becomes
effective. The In the application of the photovoltaic cell, lead sulphate (PbS) quantum dot is used.
As we know that, PbS is semiconductor having large Bohr radius with the excitation. It allows the
quantum size effect change over the assortment of the braod spectrum. When the sunlight falls on
the PbS, it will create electron hole pairs. The concentration of electrons attracts at one side and
the holes on the other side. When these two sides are connected create electricity. In future, it is
hopeful that, our mobile phones do not need to plug in power socket due to solar QD. Due to SD
quantum dots it makes our chemicals in low cost.[6]
Photodetectors

QD is also use in photodetector which are fabricated from the conventional semiconductor or
solution processing. It is used to detect the visible and infrared light. Due to infra-red light,

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photodetectors are used in quality control, gas detection, product inspection, and biomedical
imaging. While the visible light in the photodetector is used to convert the light into electronic
signals when it comes from image sensors. QD are also used in the spectroscopy, machine vision,
industrial inspection, and biomedical imaging. The use QD is easy to integrate the silicone in the
organic substrate. Moreover, it also used in the ink inject printers, low temperature evaporation
and solution casting. Emission spectrum and optical absorption are another application of the
quantum dot. QD based on the photodetector. Schematic diagram of photodetector QD is given
below.[7]

Figure 15, 15 & 17: Application of QD in Solar Cell & Photodetectors

Conclusion

Quantum dots are new technology and more viewpoint on the traditional semiconductors. It is easy
to synthesize and produce any wavelength of the light. There is various application of QD due to
it is nanosized. They are useful in many conditions. As we discussed above the fundamentals and
application of Quantum dots, it shows that it is very useful in every field of life such as medical,
electricity, offices and homes. But sometimes it also creates toxic side effects and expensive in the
field of the medicine. But its advantages are more than the disadvantages. So, we can that it is
useful than other expensive technologies.

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 References

1. Sze, S. (1985). Semiconductor Devices: Physics and Technology. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.,
p.12.
2. Müller, U. (2007). Nanostructures. Inorganic Structural Chemistry, pp.241-245.
3. Talapin, D., & Steckel, J. (2013). Quantum dot light-emitting devices. MRS Bulletin, 38(9),
pp.685-691.
4. Jenkins, R. (2012). X-Ray Diffraction. X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometry, pp.37-51.
5. Perkowitz, S. (1993). Optical characterization of semiconductors. 1st ed. London: Academic
Press.
6. Krebs, Frederik C.; Tromholt, Thomas; Jørgensen, Mikkel (2010). "Upscaling of polymer solar
cell fabrication using full roll-to-roll processing". Nanoscale. 2 (6): 873–86.
7. "Quantum dot white and colored light emitting diodes". patents.google.com. Retrieved 1
November 2018.
8. Vaillancourt, J.; Lu, X.-J.; Lu, Xuejun (2011). "A High Operating Temperature (HOT) Middle
Wave Infrared (MWIR) Quantum-Dot Photodetector". Optics and Photonics Letters. 4 (2): 1–
5.

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