Strem Chemicals UK writes:

These particles are small semiconductors (usually <10 nm) with properties between bulk semiconductors and discreet atoms.1 Excitation of QDs results in an electronic transition from a valence band to a conductance band. The subsequent fall of this electron releases energy via light emission the color of which can be tuned based on the energetic difference of the valence and conductance bands.1 Achieving a different color or set of colors can be accomplished by changing the composition, shape, and size of the QDs. These flexible and tunable properties have made them attractive to both researchers and entrepreneurs.

The applications of QDs are as myriad as the spectrum of light. QDs have seen applications in lasers,2 quantum computing,3 medical imaging,4 inkjet printing,5 gene delivery,6 and solar cells.7 Commercially, however, many of these QDs are cadmium-selenide (CdSe) based. CdSe-based QDs pose a number of risks for human health. After UV-radiation or oxidation, CdSe-based QDs can release free cadmium ions,8 causing cell death. Other generations of CdSe-based QDs can induce the formation of reactive oxygen species that harm biological molecules.9

To combat this problem, UbiQD, a New Mexico-based tech company, has developed copper indium disulfide/zinc sulfide QDs. UbiQDs products are safe and eco-friendly, while also maintaining stability to moisture and elevated temperatures. Because these QDs are sold as dry powders, they can easily be dispersed in non-polar solvents.

Beyond the traditional capabilities and features of QDs, the products at UbiQD have been highlighted for their use in agriculture and near-IR utility.10 Over the next two blogs in this series, well provide a discussion of UbiQD and demonstrate what makes these QDs superior. You can see the QDs we offer in collaboration with UbiQD below.

Product Availability

References

Products mentioned in this blog:

29-8500: Copper Indium Disulfide/Zinc Sulfide Quantum Dots, Peak Emission 550nm 10nm, QY > 75% (927198-36-5)29-8510: Copper Indium Disulfide/Zinc Sulfide Quantum Dots, Peak Emission 590nm 10nm, QY > 75% (927198-36-5)29-8520: Copper Indium Disulfide/Zinc Sulfide Quantum Dots, Peak Emission 630nm 10nm, QY > 75% (927198-36-5)29-8530: Copper Indium Disulfide/Zinc Sulfide Quantum Dots, Peak Emission 680nm 10nm, QY > 75% (927198-36-5)29-8540: Copper Indium Disulfide/Zinc Sulfide Quantum Dots, Peak Emission 800nm 10nm, QY > 75% (927198-36-5)29-8550: Copper Indium Disulfide/Zinc Sulfide Quantum Dots, Peak Emission 950nm 10nm, QY > 75% (927198-36-5)

Related Product Lines & ResourcesQuantum DotsNanomaterialsNanomaterials BookletCopper Indium Disulfide/ Zinc Sulfide Quantum Dots Brochure

Read this article:
An overview of quantum dots and UbiQD - Cambridge Network