Graphene quantum dots directly generated from graphite via magnetron sputtering and the application in thin-film transistors

This work presents a novel method to prepare graphene quantum dots (GQDs) directly from graphite. A composite film of GQDs and ZnO was first prepared using the composite target of graphite and ZnO via magnetron sputtering, followed with hydrochloric acid treatment and dialysis. Morphology and optical properties of the GQDs were investigated using a number of techniques. The as-prepared GQDs are 4–12 nm in size and 1–2 nm in thickness. They also exhibited typical excitation-dependent properties as expected in carbon-based quantum dots. To demonstrate the potential applications of GQDs in electronic devices, pure ZnO and GQD–ZnO thin-film transistors (TFTs) using ZrO_x dielectric were fabricated and examined. The ZnO TFT incorporating the GQDs exhibited enhanced performance: an on/off current ratio of 1.7 × 10⁷, a field-effect mobility of 17.7 cm²/Vs, a subthreshold swing voltage of 90 mV/decade. This paper provides an efficient, reproducible and eco-friendly approach for the preparation of monodisperse GQDs directly from graphite. Our results suggest that GQDs fabricated using magnetron sputtering method may envision promising applications in electronic devices.     

Zinc oxide quantum dots/graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets based visible-light photocatalyst for efficient tetracycline hydrochloride degradation

Journal of Porous Materials - A simple liquid phase self-assembly method was successfully developed to prepare 0D/2D nanocomposites based on ZnO QDs/g-C3N4 nanosheets. The structural...     

Near-UV-emitting graphene quantum dots from graphene hydrogels

We report a novel method to prepare graphene quantum dots (GQDs) from graphene hydrogels. Graphene hydrogels were prepared using a hydrothermal technique, and GQDs were released from the hydrogels on immersion of the hydrogels in low-polarity organic solvents. This method did not require additional treatments such as the centrifugation, filtration and dialysis typical of the general hydrothermal method. These GQDs were observed to fluoresce, with their strongest emission in the near-UV region, at ∼347 nm. Moreover, these GQDs, when in their pure state, formed a highly viscous liquid insoluble in water due to their lack of many oxygen-containing functional groups.     

Bioconjugated silicon quantum dots from one-step green synthesis

Biofunctionalized silicon quantum dots were prepared through a one step strategy avoiding the use of chemical precursors. UV-Vis spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and HAADF-STEM prove oligonucleotide conjugation to the surface of silicon nanoparticle with an average size of 4 nm. The nanoparticle size results from the size-quenching effect during in situ conjugation. Photoemissive properties, conjugation efficiency and stability of these pure colloids were studied and demonstrate the bio-application potential, e.g. for nucleic acid vector delivery with semiconducting, biocompatible nanoparticles.     

Microwave–hydrothermal synthesis of fluorescent carbon dots from graphite oxide

Graphite oxide (GO), candle soot, conductive carbon black and lampblack were used to prepare fluorescent carbon dots (CDots) by heating under reflux in nitric acid. The CDots prepared from GO exhibited the highest quantum yield and narrowest emission of those produced. Microwave-assisted techniques were also used to synthesize CDots. Compared with conventional heating under reflux, microwave-assisted heating under reflux and a microwave–hydrothermal method both shortened the reaction time. CDots prepared using microwave-assisted techniques exhibited increased absorption, higher quantum yield and longer fluorescence lifetime than those prepared by conventional heating under reflux.     

半导体纳米晶体制备及应用进展

综述了量子点的制备及应用进展     

Preparation of functionalized water-soluble photoluminescent carbon quantum dots from petroleum coke

Here we report a new strategy for preparation of water-soluble photoluminescent carbon quantum dots (CQDs) from petroleum coke. Petroleum coke was oxidized first in mixed concentrated H₂SO₄ and HNO₃, and then functionalized by hydrothermal ammonia treatment. The as-made CQDs and nitrogen-doped CQDs (N-CQDs) were characterized by UV–Vis absorption spectroscope, fluorescence spectroscope, transmission electron microscope, atomic force microscope, Raman spectrometer, X-ray powder diffractometer, X-ray photoelectron spectroscope and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The results show that the quantum yield of CQDs increases greatly from 8.7 to 15.8%, and the fluorescent lifetime increases from 3.86 to 6.11 ns after the hydrothermal treatment in ammonia. Moreover, the fluorescent color of N-CQDs can be tuned through the amount of doped nitrogen. Both CQDs and N-CQDs are water-soluble, and have uniform particle distribution, strong luminescence, and highly fluorescent sensitivity to pH in a range of 2.0–12.0. The uniform size distribution and nitrogen-doping of N-CQDs help to lead to high yield of radiative recombination, resulting in improved fluorescence properties. This work offers a simple pathway to produce high quality and enhanced photoluminescent CQDs from petroleum coke.     

Synthesis and characterization of stable room temperature bulk ferromagnetic graphite

A novel and inexpensive chemical route leading to obtain macroscopic quantities of room temperature magnetic carbon is reported. This route consists of a controlled etching on the graphite structure, performed by a redox reaction in a closed system between graphite and CuO. X-ray diffraction suggests that this modified graphite could be represented by the coexistence of a matrix of pristine graphite and a foamy-like graphitic structure compressed along the c-axis. This material has a stable and strong ferromagnetic response even at room temperature where it can be attracted by any commercial magnet. At T = 300 K, the saturation magnetic moment, the coercive field and the remnant magnetization are 0.25 emu/g, 350 Oe and 0.04 emu/g, respectively.     

Simultaneous growth of well-aligned diamond and graphitic carbon nanostructures through graphite etching

A hot filament chemical vapor deposition process based on hydrogen etching of graphite has been developed to synthesize diamond and graphitic carbon nanostructures. Well-aligned diamond and graphitic carbon nanostructured thin films have been synthesized simultaneously on differently pretreated silicon substrates in a pure hydrogen plasma. Graphitic nanocones, diamond nanocones and carbon nanotubes were selectively grown on uncoated, diamond and nickel pre-coated silicon substrates, respectively, in a single deposition process. The nanocones are solid cones with submicron scale roots and nanometer-size sharp tips. The nanotubes are hollow tubes with outer diameter of approximately 50 nm. The orientation of the well-aligned carbon nanostructures depends on the direction of the electric field at the samples surface. Nucleation and growth of diamond on the nanocones were further investigated under similar conditions without plasma. Diamond nanocomposite films have been obtained by depositing a nanocrystalline diamond film on the layer of diamond nanocones.     

The production of chemically converted graphenes from graphite fluoride

The liquid-phase extraction of graphene fluoride by exfoliation of graphite fluoride in dimethylformamide and subsequent reduction with triethylsilane or zinc particles yields the corresponding chemically converted graphene, namely reduced graphene fluoride. The formation of either graphene fluoride (fluorographene) or graphene monolayers in the course of the reaction was demonstrated by several microscopy techniques. Fluorine elimination after reduction was verified by elemental analysis and infrared/Raman spectroscopy.     

Lead salt quantum dots: the limit of strong quantum confinement

Nanocrystals or quantum dots of the IV-VI semiconductors PbS, PbSe, and PbTe provide unique properties for investigating the effects of strong confinement on electrons and phonons. The degree of confinement of charge carriers can be many times stronger than in most II-VI and III-V semiconductors, and lead salt nanostructures may be the only materials in which the electronic energies are determined primarily by quantum confinement. This Account briefly reviews recent research on lead salt quantum dots.     

Tribological properties of graphitic nanoparticles produced by laser vaporization of graphite in nitrogen

Graphitic particles showing polyhedral structures of 100-800 nm diameter (average 327 nm) were fabricated by laser vaporization of graphite in a high pressure N₂ gas environment (0.9 MPa). From X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, three atomic percent (at.%) of the nitrogen atoms was detected in the polyhedral graphite (PG) particles. Nonuniformity in the distribution of nitrogen indicates bonding formation at defects or domain boundaries in the polyhedra forming the PG particles. Adding the PG particles improve the tribological properties of a polyimide-based composite. In particular, the PG particles provided better wear-resistance than those of graphite and related nanocarbon materials.     

Improved photoluminescence quantum yield of CsPbBr3 quantum dots glass ceramics

We have fabricated CsPbBr₃ perovskite quantum dots (QDs) in a multi-component borate glass by melt-quenching technique. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals a cubic phase CsPbBr₃ crystal for QDs. As the treatment temperature or the treatment time duration increases, the photoluminescence (PL) peak shifts to long wavelength in the range of 510 to 525 nm, and the full width at half-maximum varies in the range of 24 to 18 nm. The absorption edge shifts to low energy side in the range of 2.54 to 2.41 eV. The different photoluminescence excitation spectra (PLE) reflect the change of microstructure for different samples. The PL peak wavelength and line-shape are independent of excitation wavelength. These results of spectra show typical exciton emission characteristics. As treatment conditions strengthens, photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) first increases and then decreases, having the best PLQY 86.9%. Bi-exponential fitting curves show that short lifetime τ₁ continuously decreases. Long lifetime τ₂, weight for long lifetime component, and average lifetime τ_avg first increase and then decrease. The PLQY values are affected by both τ₁ and τ₂, which are relative to the crystal quality in the interior and the surface of QDs, respectively. The high PLQY value corresponds to medium treatment condition, which is attributed to a balanced effect of crystal quality in interior and the surface of QDs.     

Long-lasting photoluminescence quantum yield of cesium lead halide perovskite-type quantum dots

Cesium lead halide perovskite(CsPbX₃,X=Cl,Br,I)quantum dots(QDs)and their partly Mn²⁺-substituted QDs(CsPb1–xMnxX3)attract considerable attention owing to their unique photoluminescence(PL)efficiencies.The two types of QDs,having different PL decay dynamics,needed to be further investigated in a form of aggregates to understand their solid-state-induced exciton dynamics in conjunction with their behaviors upon degradation to achieve practical applications of those promising QDs.However,thus far,these QDs have not been sufficiently investigated to obtain deep insights related to the long-term stability of their PL properties as aggregated solid-states.Therefore,in this study,we comparatively examined CsPbX₃-and CsPb1–xMnxX₃-type QDs stocked for>50 d under dark ambient conditions by using excitation wavelength-dependent PL quantum yield and time-resolved PL spectroscopy.These investigations were performed with powder samples in addition to solutions to determine the influence of the inter-QD interaction of the aged QD aggregates on their radiative decays.It turns out that the Mn²⁺-substituted QDs exhibited long-lasting PL quantum efficiencies,while the unsubstituted CsPbX₃-type QDs exhibited a drastic reduction of their PL efficiencies.And the obtained PL traces were clearly sensitive to the sample status.This is discussed with the possible interaction depending on the size and distance of the QD aggregates.     

CdS quantum dots sensitized ZnO spheres via ZnS overlayer to improve efficiency for quantum dots sensitized solar cells

This paper reports the preparation of three-dimensional ZnO spheres by using a hydrothermal method and their application to quantum dots sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs). After achieving the desired thickness of sensitized CdS quantum dots (QDs) for ZnO spheres, ZnS overlayer was deposited on the surface of CdS/ZnO photo-anodes to further improve the photoelectric properties. CdS QDs and ZnS overlayer were deposited by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method. The surface morphology and crystal structure of the samples were verified by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The CdS QDs sensitized solar cells were ameliorated via using ZnS as a protection-layer between quantum dots and electrolyte. As a result, the power conversion efficiency (η) has been increased from 0.60 to 1.43% after being treated by ZnS overlayer for CdS/ZnO photo-anodes.     

Great blue-shift of luminescence of ZnO nanoparticle array constructed from ZnO quantum dots

ZnO nanoparticle array has been fabricated on the Si substrate by a simple thermal chemical vapor transport and condensation without any metal catalysts. This ZnO nanoparticles array is constructed from ZnO quantum dots (QDs), and half-embedded in the amorphous silicon oxide layer on the surface of the Si substrate. The cathodoluminescence measurements showed that there is a pronounced blue-shift of luminescence comparable to those of the bulk counterpart, which is suggested to originate from ZnO QDs with small size where the quantum confinement effect can work well. The fabrication mechanism of the ZnO nanoparticle array constructed from ZnO QDs was proposed, in which the immiscible-like interaction between ZnO nuclei and Si surface play a key role in the ZnO QDs cluster formation. These investigations showed the fabricated nanostructure has potential applications in ultraviolet emitters.     

Spin effects in InAs self-assembled quantum dots

We have studied the polarized resolved photoluminescence in an n-type resonant tunneling diode (RTD) of GaAs/AlGaAs which incorporates a layer of InAs self-assembled quantum dots (QDs) in the center of a GaAs quantum well (QW). We have observed that the QD circular polarization degree depends on applied voltage and light intensity. Our results are explained in terms of the tunneling of minority carriers into the QW, carrier capture by InAs QDs and bias-controlled density of holes in the QW.     

Polyamine-functionalized carbon quantum dots for chemical sensing

Polyamine-functionalized carbon quantum dots (CQDs) with high fluorescence quantum yield (42.5%) have been synthesized by the low temperature (<200 °C) carbonization of citric acid with branched polyethylenimine (BPEI) in one simple step. The obtained BPEI–CQDs are spherical graphite nanocrystals (average 6.2 nm in size) capped with abundant BPEI at their surfaces. It is the first report that CQDs are both amino-functionalized and highly fluorescent, which suggests their promising applications in chemical sensing.     

Electrospinning of fluorescent fibers from CdSe/ZnS quantum dots in cellulose triacetate

Fluorescent cellulose triacetate (CTA) fibers were prepared by electrospinning solutions of CTA dissolved in an 8 : 2 v/v cosolvent system of methylene chloride (MC) and methanol (MeOH) which contained CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs). The relatively low loading of colloidal nanoparticles was sufficient to impart fluorescence to the fibers but did not significantly alter fiber morphologies, which tended toward smooth surfaces with the occasional longitudinal feature. The fibers were birefringent due to the alignment of the polymer chains which occurred during electrospinning and had widths on the order of a hundred nanometers. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Nanopatterned graphene quantum dots as building blocks for quantum cellular automata

Quantum cellular automata (QCA) is an innovative approach that incorporates quantum entities in classical computation processes. Binary information is encoded in different charge states of the QCA cells and transmitted by the inter-cell Coulomb interaction. Despite the promise of QCA, however, it remains a challenge to identify suitable building blocks for the construction of QCA. Graphene has recently attracted considerable attention owing to its remarkable electronic properties. The planar structure makes it feasible to pattern the whole device architecture in one sheet, compatible with the existing electronics technology. Here, we demonstrate theoretically a new QCA architecture built upon nanopatterned graphene quantum dots (GQDs). Using the tight-binding model, we determine the phenomenological cell parameters and cell-cell response functions of the GQD-QCA to characterize its performance. Furthermore, a GQD-QCA architecture is designed to demonstrate the functionalities of a fundamental majority gate. Our results show great potential in manufacturing high-density ultrafast QCA devices from a single nanopatterned graphene sheet.