Quantum Dots Application
The Coretec Group's Cyclohexasilane™
Quantum dots take advantage of nanoparticle sized materials in order to emit light of very specific wavelengths. Silicon quantum dots, in particular are non-toxic, can be made in a variety of colors with quantum yields of up to 85%. Silicon quantum dots created from cyclohexasilane (CHS) can be used in applications including solid state lighting, drug delivery, high-definition displays, vertical agriculture, cannabis farms, and quantum computing.
Features & Benefits
High Atom Economy
Higher processing yields contribute to lower device costs
Ease of Manufacture
Wide variety of processing conditions can be employed: solution-based, depositions, and UV-mediated
Long Shelf Life
Two year shelf life when stored at room temperature
Liquid Transport And Storage
Lower storage and transportation costs compared to gas
The Challenge
The Possibility
The Coretec Group’s Cyclohexasilane (CHS) is a higher order silane (Si6H12 vs SiH4) and a liquid at room temperature. Building upon institutional knowledge of silicon chemistry and manufacturing methods from the semiconductor industry, silicon nanoparticles made from CHS can be created as direct band gap materials that offer the potential for new applications in optoelectronics and photonics in a way that bulk silicon cannot. Additionally, being a liquid silicon precursor allows the creation of quantum dots utilizing controlled solution chemistry. This tuning of the reaction conditions, resulting in quantum dots with much tighter size distribution, at temperatures that contribute to more efficient processing costs. Additionally, the efficient conversion of CHS to silicon quantum dots and the ability to modify resulting surfaces easily for colloidal dispersion, CHS offers an attractive option for their manufacture.
What Does This Mean?
Liquid silanes offer many advantages over silane gas most notably safety, improved scalability, and yield. CHS has successfully been used to create both amorphous and crystalline quantum dots as shown in the TEM images below allowing the end user to readily tailor the resulting quantum dots to the desired specification and application.