About Quantum Dots

Quantum dots (QDs) are novel semiconductor nanocrystals that emit light in varying wavelegths across the visible spectrum depending on their size, shape, and composition. These" tunable" optical properties are advantageous for solid state lighting, electronic devices, solar cells, laser diodes, medical imaging devices, and numerous other optoelectronic applications. Employing quantum dots as sources of light improves the performance and energy efficiency of high-resolution displays in devices such as smartphones and high-definition television screens.

Quantum dots can be manufactured in various forms. Core-type quantum dots are composed of a single material, typically a metallic chalcogenide such as cadmium telluride or lead sulfide. Core-shell quantum dots (CSQDs, or core-shell semiconducting nanocrystals, CSSNCs) consist of a core-type material encapsulated within a second semiconductor material with a higher band gap. These hybrid particles such as cadmium selenide-zinc sulfide exhibit an improved quantum yield over single material quantum dots. Alloyed quantum dots are also composed of multiple materials, but in a homogeneous mixture rather than distinct regions. The combination of two different semiconductors with different band gaps imparts new properties distinct properties to the particles that are distinct from the original materials.

American Elements manufactures core-type, core-shell, and alloyed quantum dots from both "traditional" materials like cadmium selenide and novel ones like graphene. Our tightly controlled production methods yield materials with uniform particle sizes, morphologies, and compositions, allowing us to tune the emission colors to match the specifications of our customers.

Our quantum dot products are available as dispersions in both aqueous or organic solvents and can be produced in doped, functionalized, or coated forms. American Elements maintains industrial scale production for all its nanoscale products and will execute non-disclosure or confidentiality agreements to protect customer know-how.

Quantum Dots Products

Cadmium Selenide Quantum Dots Cadmium Selenide/Cadmium Sulfide Quantum Dots Cadmium Selenide/Zinc Sulfide Quantum Dots
Cadmium Sulfide Quantum Dots Cadmium Telluride Quantum Dots Carbon Quantum Dots
CdSe/CdS Quantum Rods CdSeTe/ZnS Quantum Dots Graphene Quantum Dots
Indium Phosphide/Zinc Sulfide Quantum Dots Lead Selenide Quantum Dots Lead Sulfide Quantum Dots
Manganese-Doped Zinc Oxide Quantum Dots Manganese-Doped Zinc Selenide Quantum Dots Perovskite Quantum Dots
Zinc Cadmium Selenide/Zinc Sulfide Quantum Dots Zinc Oxide Quantum Dots Zinc Selenide/Zinc Sulfide Quantum Dots
ZnCdSeS alloyed Quantum Dots ZnCuInS/ZnS Quantum Dots

Recent Research & Development for Quantum Dots

Research Advances on Cytotoxicity of Cadmium-Containing Quantum Dots., Liang, Xue, and Tang Meng , J Nanosci Nanotechnol, 2019 Sep 01, Volume 19, Issue 9, p.5375-5387, (2019)

Rapid and green synthesis of cadmium telluride quantum dots with low toxicity based on a plant-mediated approach after microwave and ultrasonic assisted extraction: Synthesis, characterization, biological potentials and comparison study., Alvand, Zinab Moradi, Rajabi Hamid Reza, Mirzaei Ali, Masoumiasl Asad, and Sadatfaraji Hamed , Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl, 2019 May, Volume 98, p.535-544, (2019)

Highly selective circular dichroism sensor based on d-penicillamine/cysteamine‑cadmium sulfide quantum dots for copper (II) ion detection., Ngamdee, Kessarin, Chaiendoo Kanokwan, Saiyasombat Chatree, Busayaporn Wutthikrai, Ittisanronnachai Somlak, Promarak Vinich, and Ngeontae Wittaya , Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc, 2019 Mar 15, Volume 211, p.313-321, (2019)

Influence of doping ion, capping agent and pH on the fluorescence properties of zinc sulfide quantum dots: Sensing of Cu and Hg ions and their biocompatibility with cancer and fungal cells., Desai, Mittal L., Deshmukh Balaji, Lenka Nibedita, Haran Varun, Jha Sanjay, Basu Hirakendu, Singhal Rakesh Kumar, Sharma P K., Kailasa Suresh Kumar, and Kim Ki-Hyun , Spectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc, 2019 Mar 05, Volume 210, p.212-221, (2019)

One-step synthesis of boron-doped graphene quantum dots for fluorescent sensors and biosensor., Ge, Shuyan, He Jingbo, Ma Chenxing, Liu Jiyang, Xi Fengna, and Dong Xiaoping , Talanta, 2019 Jul 01, Volume 199, p.581-589, (2019)

Facile synthesis of Silicon quantum dot-Gadolinium: A potential fluorescent/T1-T2 multimodal imaging agent., Xiao, Fangnan, Xiao Yue, Chen Fangman, Liu Xiaolin, Lin Chentao, Chen Jianxin, and Wu Yunkun , Talanta, 2019 Jul 01, Volume 199, p.336-346, (2019)

A simple FRET system using two-color CdTe quantum dots assisted by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide and its application to Hg(II) detection., Wang, Jing, Song Fengjuan, Ai Yongling, Hu Shanwen, Huang Zhizhou, and Zhong Wenying , Luminescence, 2019 Jan 24, (2019)

Size-Dependent Lattice Dynamics of Atomically Precise Cadmium Selenide Quantum Dots., Shi, Chenyang, Beecher Alexander N., Li Yan, Owen Jonathan S., Leu Bogdan M., Said Ayman H., Hu Michael Y., and Billinge Simon J. L. , Phys Rev Lett, 2019 Jan 18, Volume 122, Issue 2, p.026101, (2019)

Enhanced light absorption and charge recombination control in quantum dot sensitized solar cells using tin doped cadmium sulfide quantum dots., Muthalif, Mohammed Panthakkal, Sunesh Chozhidakath Damodharan, and Choe Youngson , J Colloid Interface Sci, 2019 Jan 15, Volume 534, p.291-300, (2019)

Few-nanometer-sized α-CsPbI3 Quantum Dots Enabled by Strontium Substitution and Iodide Passivation for Efficient Red Light Emitting Diodes., Yao, Ji-Song, Ge Jing, Wang Kun-Hua, Zhang Guozhen, Zhu Bai-Sheng, Chen Chen, Zhang Qun, Luo Yi, Yu Shu-Hong, and Bin Yao Hong- , J Am Chem Soc, 2019 Jan 08, (2019)

Critical role of metal ions in surface engineering toward brightly luminescent and stable cesium lead bromide perovskite quantum dots., Zhang, Congyang, Wang Bo, Wan Qun, Kong Long, Zheng Weilin, Li Zhichun, and Li Liang , Nanoscale, 2019 Feb 07, Volume 11, Issue 6, p.2602-2607, (2019)

A small heterobifunctional ligand provides stable and water dispersible core-shell CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs)., Salerno, Gianluca, Scarano Simona, Mamusa Marianna, Consumi Marco, Giuntini Stefano, Macagnano Antonella, Nativi Stefano, Fragai Marco, Minunni Maria, Berti Debora, et al. , Nanoscale, 2018 Sep 26, (2018)

A nanocomposite probe consisting of carbon quantum dots and phosphotungstic acid for fluorometric determination of chromate(VI) with improved selectivity., Liu, Yushan, Chen Zhijun, Li Wei, Ma Chunhui, Wu Peng, Wu Xueyun, Li Shujun, and Liu Shouxin , Mikrochim Acta, 2018 Sep 20, Volume 185, Issue 10, p.470, (2018)

Cadmium selenide quantum dot-zinc oxide composite: Synthesis, characterization, dye removal ability with UV irradiation, and antibacterial activity as a safe and high-performance photocatalyst., Mahmoodi, Niyaz Mohammad, Karimi Behzad, Mazarji Mahmoud, and Moghtaderi Hassan , J Photochem Photobiol B, 2018 Sep 01, Volume 188, p.19-27, (2018)