Group 14 Nanomaterials and Nanoengineered Hybrids - Design, Synthesis, Properties, and Applications.

半导体纳米颗粒或量子点（QD）在大约30年前首次报道。 当时很难预见它们将为已经成为重要的跨学科研究领域提供基础，对能源生产和储存，高效电子设备，医疗诊断等产生深远影响。迄今为止，最广泛研究的量子点是基于CdSe的;这些材料的尺寸依赖性性质在很大程度上是了解的。尽管镉的精细可调特性和实际应用带来了明显的社会效益，但镉的细胞毒性不容忽视，各国政府正在限制其使用。显然，量子点的实用性及其对现代社会许多方面产生巨大影响的潜力使它们成为非常有吸引力的材料。 在这种情况下，有一个共同的努力，开发无毒的量子点的基础上丰富的材料，并建立一个理解的参数，影响其性能。 硅（Si）和锗（Ge）是有吸引力的CdSe替代品-两者都是半导体，并且Si是地壳中第二丰富的元素。然而，它们的反应性、电子结构和光学响应与CdSe的反应性、电子结构和光学响应显著不同。事实上，直到最近才开发出制备SiQD的方便方法，并且良好定义的GeQD的制备仍然难以捉摸。此外，这些高表面积材料与其周围环境的界面是一个重要的突出挑战-陪审团仍然是如何最好地定制硅和锗量子点表面化学。此外，重要的问题仍然与表面基团如何以及为什么影响这些系统的性质有关。如果这些无毒纳米材料要充分发挥其潜力并使社会受益，就必须解决这些问题。本研究计划的目标是开发用于制备和定制Si和Ge量子点的表面化学的方法。更重要的是，我们的目标是建立对影响其材料特性的因素的深刻理解，这将导致各种有影响力的实际应用的进步（例如，太阳能电池、可充电电池、传感器、热电装置和成像剂）。有了这一新的见解，将设计，合成和研究结合量子点和聚合物特性的先进纳米工程混合物。

Semiconductor nanoparticles, or quantum dots (QDs) were first reported approximately thirty years ago. At that time it was difficult to foresee that they would provide the basis for what has become an important cross-disciplinary research area with far reaching impact in energy production and storage, efficient electronic devices, medical diagnostics, among others. To date, the most widely studied QDs are based upon CdSe; the size dependent properties of these materials are largely understood. Despite the obvious societal benefits afforded by their exquisitely tuneable properties and practical applications, the cytotoxicity of cadmium cannot be ignored and governments are moving to restrict their use.***Clearly, the demonstrated utility of QDs and their potential for dramatically impacting many aspects of modern society make them very attractive materials to pursue. In this context, there is a concerted effort to develop non-toxic QDs based upon abundant materials and establish an understanding of the parameters that impact their properties. Silicon (Si) and germanium (Ge) are attractive CdSe alternatives - both are semiconductors and Si is the second most abundant element in the earth's crust. However, their reactivity, electronic structure, and optical response differ substantially from that of CdSe. In fact, it is only recently that convenient methods for preparing SiQDs were developed and preparation of well-defined GeQDs remains elusive. In addition, interfacing these high surface area materials with their surroundings is an important outstanding challenge - the jury is still out on how best to tailor Si and Ge QD surface chemistry. Furthermore, important questions remain related to how and why surface groups influence the properties of these systems. These issues must be addressed if these non-toxic nanomaterials are to realize their full potential and society is to benefit.***The present research program targets the development of methods for preparing and tailoring the surface chemistry of Si and Ge QDs. More importantly, we aim to establish a firm understanding of the factors that influence their material properties which will lead to advances in a variety of impactful practical applications (e.g., solar cells, rechargeable batteries, sensors, thermoelectric devices, and imaging agents). With this new insight in hand, advanced nanoengineered hybrids that marry the properties of quantum dots and polymers will be designed, synthesized, and investigated.**