Synthesis and Characterization of CdSe Qunatum Dots

In this lab, presented by the National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network, students will "study how surfactant-based chemistry can be used to synthesize CdSe quantum dots and study how the size of the quantum dots can be controlled by varying reaction time." This lab will help students to understand the size and scale of nanoparticles using dots and considering the actions of electrons within a nanostructure. Additionally, "The model of will be compared with more exact results, and use this to create a calibration curve. Students will be able to estimate the size of quantum dots by using UV-VIS absorption spectroscopy." Included in this lab are: Teachers guide, Student prelab worksheet w/ answers, Student worksheet with answers, Student prelab worksheet, Student Worksheet, Evaluation form for design project.