Issue 8, 2014

Colloidal silicon quantum dots: from preparation to the modification of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) for bio-applications

Abstract

Concerns over possible toxicities of conventional metal-containing quantum dots have inspired growing research interests in colloidal silicon nanocrystals (SiNCs), or silicon quantum dots (SiQDs). This is related to their potential applications in a number of fields such as solar cells, optoelectronic devices and fluorescent bio-labelling agents. The past decade has seen significant progress in the understanding of fundamental physics and surface properties of silicon nanocrystals. Such understanding is based on the advances in the preparation and characterization of surface passivated colloidal silicon nanocrystals. In this critical review, we summarize recent advances in the methods of preparing high quality silicon nanocrystals and strategies for forming self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), with a focus on their bio-applications. We highlight some of the major challenges that remain, as well as lessons learnt when working with silicon nanocrystals (239 references).

Graphical abstract: Colloidal silicon quantum dots: from preparation to the modification of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) for bio-applications

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
08 Oct 2013
First published
07 Jan 2014
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Chem. Soc. Rev., 2014,43, 2680-2700

Author version available

Colloidal silicon quantum dots: from preparation to the modification of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) for bio-applications

X. Cheng, S. B. Lowe, P. J. Reece and J. J. Gooding, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2014, 43, 2680 DOI: 10.1039/C3CS60353A

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

Read more about how to correctly acknowledge RSC content.

Social activity

Spotlight

Advertisements