The 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to scientists Monje G. Boundy, Louis Bruce, and Alexei Ekimov for their discovery and synthesis. Quantity Points. You Quantity Points [pontos quânticos] They are very small chemical molecules, nanoparticles, measuring only a few nanometers (one millimeter is 1,000,000 nanometers) and have unique electronic and optical properties that are directly related to their size. They absorb light which they then emit in different colors (of different wavelengths). For example, A Quantum dot Smaller ones emit blue light, while larger ones emit red light. Another great feature is its durability, having a high brightness signal and great photostability – that is, it does not “fade”.
In addition to the enormous importance of the discovery Quantity Points And their properties, it was also important to develop manufacturing methods to produce them in very precise and homogeneous sizes and with high optical quality. Different sizes of nanoparticles are obtained by strictly controlling the synthesis reaction temperature and subsequent crystallization rate.
Since its discovery, many synthesis methods have been developed, different materials and crystallization processes have been explored, and nanoparticles of various shapes have been produced.
These nanoparticles can be chemically modified in several ways, depending on the desired applications. Their surface can be changed so that they become soluble in a biological environment. They can form bonds with organic molecules and biomolecules (proteins, nucleic acids, etc.), which are characterized and thus used as tools to study biological processes at the molecular level. It has many advantages over other organic dyes: it is more robust under different conditions, more resistant to degradation due to exposure to light, and maintains its optical properties for long periods.
Moreover, we can get light emission of different colors just by changing its size. Different biomolecules can be labeled with different colours, allowing for a more precise and targeted study.
You Quantity Points It has many different applications, on TVs with QLED displays (Q comes from Quantum dot), in diagnostic medicine (bioimaging), in photocatalysis for the synthesis of more complex organic molecules, and in research in many other scientific fields.
They are a recent discovery. Research into its properties and applications continues, and there is still much to discover.
This award is another example of how knowledge from different fields, in this case chemistry and physics, can contribute to discoveries that will revolutionize many other fields. The 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry recognizes not only nanoscience, but also the importance of interdisciplinarity in science. It also reinforces the importance of chemistry as a science, contributes to discoveries and applications in many areas of our lives, and highlights its importance in school curricula.
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