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Categories: advanced materials, nanotechnology

BSA 11-04: Stepwise Surface Assembly of Quantum Dot-Fullerene Heterodimers

BNL Reference Number: BSA 11-04

Patent Status: Application Number 20120187373 was published on July 26, 2012

Summary

While it has been recognized that quantum dots (Qdots) may be effectively paired with fullerenes as active materials in solar cells and other photoelectric devices, techniques to manufacture Qdot-fullerene heterodimers have not kept pace with the interest in the system. The inventors have developed a stepwise method of making these heterodimers that takes advantage of steric repulsion between two Qdots by fixing fullerenes to a solid substrate, attaching the Qdots (one per fullerene), and releasing the heterodimer from the substrate. Furthermore, the process uses common substrates (glass slides), and low-temperature processing (90°C) in aqueous solutions.

Description

Fullerenes are fixed to a substrate, such as a glass slide, and quantum dots (Qdots) are then attached to the affixed fullerenes. Because of the steric hindrance between the Qdots, which are about an order of magnitude larger than the fullerenes, only one Qdot is attached to each fullerene. The heterodimers may then be released from the substrate.

Journal Publication

• Quantum Dotâ€"Bridgeâ€"Fullerene Heterodimers with Controlled Photoinduced Electron Transfer (.pdf)

Have Questions?

For more information about this technology, contact Kimberley Elcess, (631) 344-4151.