Quantum Dots Based Material for Drug Delivery Applications

Quantum dots (QDs) have shown promising potential to many biomedical and biological applications, mainly in drug delivery or activation and cellular imaging. These semiconductor nanoparticles, QDs, whose particle size is in the range of 2-10 nanometer with unique photo-chemical and -physical properties that are not possessed by any other isolated molecules, have become one of the distinct class of imaging probes and worldwide platforms for manufacturing of multifunctional nanodevices. In this chapter, properties, applications of QDs, and importance in the biomedical field especially in drug delivery is presented.

Quantum Dots based Materials for New Generation Supercapacitors Application: A Recent Overview

The need of energy storage and related devices are increasing day by day, due to the expansion of global population. To deal with such universal crisis, current energy storage devices like supercapacitors need to be improved in their performances and qualities. In this regard, quantum dots (QDs) are extensively being studied, especially due to their excellent properties. The utilization of QDs in supercapacitors is huge as electrode material as well as for fluorescent electrolytes. Various QDs based composites have been made for the same, which includes doping with various metals, non-metals and carbon nanomaterials (CNMs) like graphene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) etc. In the present chapter the current advancement and futuristic possibilities of supercapacitors have been mentioned extensively.

Semiconductor Quantum Dots

Semiconductor particles in the range of 2-10 nm are known as quantum dots (QDs) and nano-crystals where in all the three spatial dimensions, excitons are confined. Because of very small size and special electronic properties, QDs are expected to be building blocks of many electronic and optoelectronic devices. These particles possess tunable quantum efficiency, continuous absorption spectra, narrow emission and long term photostability. These are important for various biomedical applications. In this chapter definition of semiconductor QDs, their methods of preparation and characterization along with their properties and applications have been discussed.

Role of Quantum Dots in Separation Processes

Quantum dots (QDs), the fluorescent nanoparticles with multiplexing competency are applicable in broad range of fields. The application of QDs in separation processes is a relatively new approach, still presenting the spectacular advancement and wider future scope. The unique features of QDs endorse their use in wastewater treatment, chromatographic separation and heavy metal remediation. QDs also assist the separation of biomarkers, pathogens and tumor cells for biomedical applications. These tiny particles possess tremendous potential to deal with bigger global issues such as water desalination and early cancer diagnosis. To the best of our knowledge, it is the first most report summarizing the QDs uses for multiple separation processes.

Antibacterial Quantum Dots

The emergence and global spread of multi antibiotic-resistant bacteria underscored the need to find new alternative antimicrobial candidates. Graphene quantum dots have received tremendous attention as promising new microbicidal agents owing to their ease of production, excellent physicochemical properties and high biosafety. In this chapter, the synthesis and physicochemical characteristics of graphene quantum dots are reviewed. A recent research progress on their antibacterial activities and the reaction mechanisms are also discussed. Lastly, an outlook on future development of effective graphene quantum dots was suggested with the goal of addressing current limitation and motivating further research on this promising area.

Quantum Dots Based Materials for Water Treatment

Quantum dot is a new class of nanomaterials having size in nanometers (˂10 nm). This material has excellent photo-catalytic activity towards dyes and pollutants with great absorbance and photoluminescence properties. It shows shifting of peak in UV-FL data which indicates the excitation dependent emission spectra means tunable properties in different wavelength and this property makes it a wonderful probe for sensing application for different heavy metals, pollutants present in water. In this chapter the synthesis, properties, types, application of quantum dots and focus on the research that has been done in field of water treatment with possible future outcomes is discussed.

Green and One-Pot Synthesis of Mint Derived Carbon Quantum Dots for Metal Ion Sensing

A green and simple synthesis of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) was derived from dried mint leaves by hydrothermal method. Crystalline structure of the synthesized CQDs was characterized with X-ray diffraction (XRD) method. The morphological properties of the CQDs were investigated with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The optical behaviors of the CQDs were examined with fourier transfom infrared spectrophotometer (FT-IR), ultraviolet visible (UV-Vis) and photoluminescence spectrophotometer techniques. Crystalline structure of the CQDs was found as amorphous in nature and the average diameter of the CDs was calculated as 8.13 nm from TEM study. According to the fluorescence emission spectra of the samples, synthesized CQDs was sensitive to mainly Ag(I), Cr(III) and Fe(III) ions. Especially, Ag(I) was the most sensible compared to other metal ions. Quenching effect of the CQDs was also evaluated by using ascorbic acid to metal ions added CQDs samples. Ascorbic acid showed the quenching effect for all the metal ion added samples except Sn(II) ion.

Eco-Friendly Techniques to Synthesize Quantum Dots

Quantum dot defines as a nanoparticle with particle size smaller than its exciton Bohr radius. Due to the remarkable quantum effects such as optical and electronic properties, they have attracted a great deal of attention by researchers and industries. Therefore, quantum dots have become a major topic in nano-technology. Here, we describe the most recent eco-friendly techniques that have been used to synthesize quantum dots, including biogenic methods, such as plant-mediated, microorganisms-mediated methods, wet chemical and solid-state methods.

Quantum Dots: Properties and Applications

Quantum dots (QDs) are very small nanoparticles and are composed of hundreds to thousands of atoms. These semiconducting materials can be made from an element, such as silicon or germanium, or compounds such as cadmium sulphide (CdS) or cadmium selenide (CdSe). The colour of these small particles does not depend on the type of semiconducting material from which the dots are made, but rather on its diameter. Besides, ODs attract the most attention because of their unique visual properties. Therefore, these are used in all kinds of applications where precise control of coloured light is important. As these dots are of great importance in chemical, biological and medical applications, they can be designed to deliver anti-cancer drugs and direct them to specific areas of the body. Therefore, with this technique, the harmful side effects of chemical treatments can be reduced. It is possible to examine and study the properties of these nanomaterials and make sure they are analyzed using some scientific devices and techniques, the most important of which are: transmittance electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic forces microscopy (AFM) with dielectrics, and X-ray diffraction (XRD). This chapter opens horizons towards knowing what quantum dots are and their unique properties, as well as methods of preparation and then placing our hands on the chemical, and biological applications of these dots.

Computational Theories Used in the Study of Quantum Dots

Quantum dots (QDs) are intriguing semiconductors with remarkable quantum confinement, optical and electrical properties which avails for various industrial and commercial applications to revolutionize our world. However, their optimal utilization hinges on the understanding of their properties and computational theories are imperative to explore both existing and new QDs properties. This chapter gives a comprehensive analysis of molecular mechanics and quantum mechanics computational approaches used in the study of the QDs properties.