Recent scientific progress has resulted in the development of sophisticated hybrid nanostructures composed of semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum dots, QDs) and metal nanoparticles (MNPs). These hybrid structures open up new possibilities for developing next generation nanoscale optoelectronic devices that combine the best attributes of each component material.The optical response of MNPs is dominated by surface plasmon resonances which create large local electromagnetic field enhancements. When coupled to surrounding semiconductor components, the enhanced local electric field results in strong absorption/emission, alteration in emission decay rates, enhancement in exciton emission and other interesting non-linear effects (multiphoton generation). Although hybrid nanostructures are poised to be utilized in a variety of applications, serious hurdles for the design of new devices still remain. These difficulties largely result from a poor understanding of how the structural components interact at the nanoscale. These synergetic interactions strongly depend on the exact composition and geometry of the structure, and therefore, a quantitative comparison between theory and experiment is often difficult to achieve. My dissertation work primarily focuses on paving a bridge between the experimental and theoretical studies and the mechanisms involved in exciton and multiexciton emission dynamics of single QDs in presence of plasmonic nanostructures by careful consideration of different parameters which significantly affect the interaction between these nanoparticles at a single particle level.

Semiconductor nanocrystals and metal nanoparticles are the building blocks of the next generation of electronic, optoelectronic, and photonic devices. Covering this rapidly developing and interdisciplinary field, the book examines in detail the physical properties and device applications of semiconductor nanocrystals and metal nanoparticles. It begins with a review of the synthesis and characterization of various semiconductor nanocrystals and metal nanoparticles and goes on to discuss in detail their optical, light emission, and electrical properties. It then illustrates some exciting applications of nanoelectronic devices (memristors and single-electron devices) and optoelectronic devices (UV detectors, quantum dot lasers, and solar cells), as well as other applications (gas sensors and metallic nanopastes for power electronics packaging). Focuses on a new class of materials that exhibit fascinating physical properties and have many exciting device applications. Presents an overview of synthesis strategies and characterization techniques for various semiconductor nanocrystal and metal nanoparticles. Examines in detail the optical/optoelectronic properties, light emission properties, and electrical properties of semiconductor nanocrystals and metal nanoparticles. Reviews applications in nanoelectronic devices, optoelectronic devices, and photonic devices.

Metal-semiconductor hybrid nanoparticles combine materials with different physical properties in one nanostructure. Charge separation processes and potentially increased conductivity in thin film devices make them promising candidates for advanced applications in photocatalysis or (opto) electronics. The work on hand deals with the preparation of CdSe nanoparticles that later act as seeds for the defined deposition of metals and with the electrical characterisation of monolayers of the resulting hybrid structures. In context with the shape control of the semiconductor component in a hot injection synthesis, the role of halogen compounds and the influence of their molecular structure are examined. Analytically as well as theoretically supported explanations for the formation of the evolving hexagonal pyramidal shape, which is especially favourable for metal deposition, are presented. The deposition of different metals onto the obtained semiconductor components is examined and unusual instabilities of an Au shell on CdSe hybrid nanoparticles are investigated. Furthermore, the impact of deposited Pt on the electrical transport of CdSe nanopyramids is demonstrated.

Photocatalysis is a hot topic because it is an environmentally friendly approach toward the conversion of light energy into chemical energy at mild reaction environments. Also, it is well applied in several major areas such as water splitting, bacterial inactivation, and pollutants elimination, which is a possible solution to energy shortage and environmental issues. The fundamental knowledge and the frontier research progress in typical photocatalytic materials, such as TiO2-based and non-TiO2-based photocatalysts, are included in this book. Methods to improve the photocatalytic efficiency and to provide a hint for the rational design of the new photocatalysts are covered.

The vast technological potential of nanocrystalline materials, as well as current intense interest in the physics and chemistry of nanoscale phenomena, has led to explosive growth in research on semiconductor nanocrystals, also known as nanocrystal quantum dots, and metal nanoparticles. Semiconductor and Metal Nanocrystals addresses current topics impacting the field including synthesis and assembly of nanocrystals, theory and spectroscopy of interband and intraband optical transitions, single-nanocrystal optical and tunneling spectroscopies, electrical transport in nanocrystal assemblies, and physical and engineering aspects of nanocrystal-based devices. Written by experts who have contributed pioneering research, this reference comprises key advances in the field of semiconductor nanocrystal quantum dots and metal nanoparticles over the past several years. Focusing specifically on nanocrystals generated through chemical techniques, Semiconductor and Metal Nanocrystals Merges investigative frontiers in physics, chemistry, and engineering Documents advances in nanocrystal synthesis and assembly Explores the theory of electronic excitations in nanoscale particles Presents comprehensive information on optical spectroscopy of interband and intraband optical transitions Reviews data on single-nanocrystal optical and tunneling spectroscopies Weighs controversies related to carrier relaxation dynamics in ultrasmall nanoparticles Discusses charge carrier transport in nanocrystal assemblies Provides examples of lasing and photovoltaic nanocrystal-based devices Semiconductor and Metal Nanocrystals is a must read for scientists, engineers, and upper-level undergraduate and graduate students interested in the physics and chemistry of nanoscale semiconductor and metal particles, as well as general nanoscale science. About the Editor: VICTOR I. KLIMOV is Team Leader, Softmatter Nanotechnology and Advanced Spectroscopy Team, Chemistry Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory, New Mexico. The recipient of the Los Alamos Fellows Prize (2000), he is a Fellow of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, leader of the Nanophotonics and Nanoelectronics Thrust of the Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies (U.S. Department of Energy), a member of the Los Alamos Board of Governors of the Institute for Complex Adaptive Matter, and a member of the Steering Committee for the Los Alamos Quantum Institute. He received the M.S. (1978), Ph.D. (1981), and Dr. Sci. (1993) degrees from Moscow State University, Russia.