University of Arkansas

Narayan Pradhan

Xiaogang Peng

Arun Narayanaswamy

A method of synthesizing doped semiconductor nanocrystals. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of combining a metal oxide or metal salt precursor, a ligand, and a solvent to form a metal complex in a reaction vessel; admixing an anionic precursor with the metal complex at a first temperature, T, sufficient to form a plurality of host nanocrystals; doping a metal dopant onto the plurality of the host nanocrystals at a second temperature, T, such that a layer of the metal dopant is formed substantially over the surface of a host nanocrystal that receives a metal dopant; and adding a mixture having the anionic precursor and the metal oxide or metal salt precursor at a third temperature, T, into the reaction vessel to allow regrowth of host nanocrystals on the surface of the layer of the metal dopant formed substantially over the surface of a host nanocrystal that receives a metal dopant to form a plurality of doped nanocrystals, wherein the doped nanocrystals show a characteristic of semiconductor.

Doped semiconductor nanocrystals and methods of making same

A method of synthesizing nanostructures. In one embodiment, the method includes the step of heating a reaction mixture at an elevated temperature, T, for a period of time effective to allow the growth of desired nanostructures. The reaction mixture contains an amount, P, of a carboxylate salt and an amount, L, of a fatty acid ligand, defining a molar ratio of the fatty acid ligand to the carboxylate salt, &#x3b1;=L/P, and a hydrocarbon solvent. The reaction mixture is characterizable with a critical ligand protection, &#x3bc;, associating with the chemical structure of the carboxylate salt such that when &#x3b1;&#x3c;&#x3bc;, the reaction mixture is in a limited ligand protection (LLP) domain, and when &#x3b1;&#x3e;&#x3bc;, the reaction mixture is in a sufficient ligand protection (SLP) domain. The nanostructures are formed in the form of single crystalline and nearly monodisperse nanocrystals, which are in the form of dot-shaped nanocrystals, when the reaction mixture is in the SLP domain, and in the form of nanoflowers, when the reaction mixture is in the LLP domain, respectively.

Growing community of inventors

Fayetteville, AR, United States of America

Narayan Pradhan