Aqueous Based Semiconductor Nanocrystals.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology
• Biotechnology

Background:

• Colloidal semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are crucial nanomaterials with tunable optical properties.
• Traditional synthesis methods often face limitations in scalability and environmental impact.
• Bioinspired and biosynthetic approaches offer novel pathways for aqueous QD synthesis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review traditional and nonconventional, bioinspired methods for aqueous synthesis of semiconductor quantum dots (QDs).
• To critically emphasize basic chemistry concepts relevant to ligand selection and QD formation.
• To explore advanced QD structures, optical properties, and applications in bioimaging and theranostics.

Main Methods:

• Summarizing traditional and recent nonconventional, bioinspired, and biosynthetic methods for aqueous QD synthesis.
• Analyzing fundamental chemistry principles governing ligand selection and QD structure formation.
• Reviewing optical characteristics of various QD forms (core/shell, alloys, doped) and their influencing factors.

Main Results:

• Bioinspired and biosynthetic methods enable aqueous QD synthesis with combined biospecific reactivity and strong optical responses.
• New avenues include QD synthesis for chiral optical properties.
• Progress in understanding and controlling optical properties through band gap tuning, surface trap reduction, charge carrier dynamics, and lattice strain.

Conclusions:

• Aqueous synthesis of QDs offers scalable and versatile routes for advanced nanomaterials.
• Significant progress has been made in QD applications, particularly in bioimaging and theranostics.
• Key challenges remain in achieving highly attractive, scalable, and versatile aqueous syntheses for broader commercialization.