Nanocrystal

A nanocrystal is a material particle having

at least one dimension smaller than 100
nanometres, based on quantum dots [1] (a
nanoparticle) and composed of atoms in
either a single- or poly-crystalline
arrangement.[2]

The size of nanocrystals distinguishes

them from larger crystals. For example,
silicon nanocrystals can provide efficient
light emission while bulk silicon does not[3]
and may be used for memory
components.[4]

When embedded in solids, nanocrystals

may exhibit much more complex melting
behaviour than conventional solids[5] and
may form the basis of a special class of
solids.[6] 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 samples of a similar material
without the complicating presence of grain
boundaries and other defects.
Semiconductor nanocrystals having
dimensions smaller than 10 nm are also
described as quantum dots.

Synthesis
The traditional method involves molecular
precursors, which can include typical
metal salts and a source of the anion.
Most semiconducting nanomaterials
feature chalcogenide (SS−, SeS−, TeS−) and
pnicnides (P3−, As3−, Sb3−). Sources of
these elements are the silylated
derivatives such as
bis(trimethylsilyl)sulfide (S(SiMe3)2 and
tris(trimethylsilylphosphine (P(SiMe3)3).[7]
Nanoscale tertiary phosphine-stabilized Ag-S cluster
prepared from molecular precursors. Color code: gray
= Ag, violet = P, orange = S.[8]

Some procedures use surfactants to

solubilize the growing nanocrystals.[9] In
some cases, nanocrystals can exchange
their elements with reagents through
atomic diffusion.[9]

Applications
Nanocrystals made with zeolite are used
to filter crude oil onto diesel fuel at an
ExxonMobil oil refinery in Louisiana at a
cost less than conventional methods.[10]

See also
Cadmium telluride nanocrystals
Magnetic nanoparticles
Nanocrystal solar cell
Nanocrystalline silicon
Nanoparticle
Quantum dot

References
1. B. D. Fahlman (2007). Material
Chemistry. 1. Springer: Mount Pleasant,
Michigan. pp. 282–283.
2. J. L. Burt (2005). "Beyond Archimedean
solids: Star polyhedral gold nanocrystals".
J. Cryst. Growth. 285: 681.
doi:10.1016/j.jcrysgro.2005.09.060 .
3. L. Pavesi (2000). "Optical gain in silicon
nanocrystals". Nature. 408: 440.
doi:10.1038/35044012 .
4. S. Tiwari (1996). "A silicon nanocrystal
based memory". Appl. Phys. Lett. 68: 1377.
doi:10.1063/1.116085 .
5. J. Pakarinen (2009). "Partial melting
mechanisms of embedded nanocrystals".
Phys. Rev. B. 79: 085426.
doi:10.1103/physrevb.79.085426 .
6. D. V. Talapin (2012). "Nanocrystal solids:
A modular approach to materials design".
MRS Bulletin. 37: 63.
doi:10.1557/mrs.2011.337 .
7. Fuhr, O.; Dehnen, S.; Fenske, D. (2013).
"Chalcogenide Clusters of Copper and Silver
from Silylated Chalcogenide Sources".
Chem. Soc. Rev. 42: 1871–1906.
doi:10.1039/C2CS35252D .
8. Fenske, D.; Persau, C.; Dehnen, S.; Anson,
C. E. (2004). "Syntheses and Crystal
Structures of the Ag-S Cluster Compounds
[Ag70S20(SPh)28(dppm)10] (CF3CO2)2 and
[Ag262S100(St-Bu)62(dppb)6]". Angewandte
Chemie International Edition. 43: 305–309.
doi:10.1002/anie.200352351 .
9. Ibanez, M.; Cabot, A. (2013). "All Change
for Nanocrystals". Science. 340 (6135):
935–936. doi:10.1126/science.1239221 .
PMID 23704562 .
10. P. Dutta and S. Gupta (eds.) (2006).
Understanding of Nano Science and
Technology (1 ed.). Global Vision Publishing
House. p. 72. ISBN 81-8220-188-8.

External links
Elan Drug Technology
 Nanocrystalline Soft Magnetic
Materials
Jose-Yacaman article on gold/silver
nanocrystals

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