Ian Wark Research Institute
ARC Special Research Centre
ARC Special Research Centre
Research Area: Chemistry, materials science, colloid science,
surface chemistry
Supervisors: Prof
Thomas Nann and Prof Bill
Skinner
Description: Semiconductor nanocrystals or quantum dots (QDs)
have unique and scalable optical properties where photoluminescence and
absorption of the QDs shift to the blue with decreasing particle size.
QDs additionally provide attractive alternatives to fluorescent organic
dyes because they show stable optical properties with very little or no
photobleaching, have relatively narrow emission line widths and large
extinction coefficients. These properties make them interesting
candidates for many applications including very diverse areas such as
markers for life sciences, light-harvesting �antennas� for solar energy
conversion, down-converters for electro-optical devices, building-blocks
for nano-electronics and many other applications. There is a range of
commercially available QDs, including CdS, CdSe, CdTe and other class A
and B element containing semiconductors. Even though having the above,
advantageous optical properties, these particles are unacceptable for
most applications in medicine and biology due to their intrinsic
toxicity.
This project aims to find a simple, environmentally benign and
inexpensive method for the synthesis of non-toxic, high quality QDs.
Furthermore, we aim to fully characterise the novel QDs in terms of
crystallinity, electronic and surface structure. This will involve
utilisation of advanced characterisation techniques and collaboration
with international partners.
Outcomes: A simple, environmentally benign and inexpensive method
for the synthesis of non-toxic, high quality QDs.
Methods
- wet-chemical synthesis of QD precursors
- synthesis of QDs by using advanced methods such as solvothermal
synthesis
- electronic spectroscopy
- various X-Ray spectroscopies and diffraction methods
- electron microscopy
- standard analytical methods
References
1. Xie, R., Rutherford, M. & Peng, X. Formation of High-Quality I−III−VI
Semiconductor Nanocrystals by Tuning Relative Reactivity of Cationic
Precursors. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 131, 5691-5697 (2009).
2 Panthani, M.G. et al. Synthesis of CuInS2, CuInSe2, and
Cu(InxGa1-x)Se2 (CIGS) Nanocrystal �Inks� for Printable Photovoltaics.
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 130, 16770-16777 (2008).
3 Mitzi, D.B. et al. Hydrazine-based deposition route for device-quality
CIGS films. Thin Solid Films 517, 2158-2162 (2009).
Funding: All students should apply for an IWRI fully-funded
scholarship.
International students should also apply for an International
Postgraduate Research Scholarship (IPRS) and a UniSA President's
Scholarship (UPS). To be eligible for UPS, applicants must have a
supervisor willing to nominate them for consideration.
Australian students should also apply for an Australian Postgraduate
Award (APA) and a UniSA Australian Postgraduate Research Award (USAAPRA).
International and national travel and collaboration will be involved in
this project and students should be prepared to travel overseas for
short periods of focused research.
