Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

From my understanding, "colloidal quantum dots" or CQDs, are semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum dots) dispersed within a solution. Could you use any solution to form colloidal quantum dots? Or is there a specific solvent typically used to form colloidal quantum dots?

I'm not sure you can assume "solution" translates to "solvent". The primary purpose of the solution is to disperse the nanostructures so they aren't clumpped together in a glob that renders lots of the nanostructures unusable in terms of making electrical connections or not having a light path to them. I suspect that there is a lot of research into what works best in terms of usable yields. I'm betting that the better solutions and fabrication techniques are protected intellectual property and won't be public at least until a patent is filed.