Multi-heterojunction nanoparticles, methods of manufacture thereof and articles comprising the same
Disclosed herein is a semiconducting nanoparticle comprising a one-dimensional semiconducting nanoparticle having a first end and a second end; where the second end is opposed to the first end; a first node that comprises a first semiconductor; where the first node contacts a radial surface of the one-dimensional semiconducting nanoparticle producing a first heterojunction at the point of contact; and a second node that comprises a second semiconductor; where the second node contacts the radial surface of the one-dimensional semiconducting nanoparticle producing a second heterojunction at the point of contact; where the first heterojunction is compositionally different from the second heterojunction.
1. A semiconducting nanoparticle comprising:
a one-dimensional nanoparticle having a first end and a second end, where the second end is opposed to the first end;
a first endcap at each of the first end and the second end, wherein the first endcaps comprise a first semiconductor; and
a second endcap at each of the first end and the second end, wherein the second endcaps comprise a second semiconductor and partially or completely encircle the first endcaps at each of the first end and the second end;
wherein each of the first endcaps contacts a surface of the one-dimensional nanoparticle at each of the first end and the second end producing a first heterojunction at each of the points of contact;
wherein the second endcap at the first end contacts a surface of the first endcap at the first end, producing a second heterojunction at the point of contact, and the second endcap at the second end contacts a surface of the first endcap at the second end producing a second heterojunction at the point of contact;
wherein the first heterojunction is compositionally different from the second heterojunction.
2. An article comprising:
a first electrode;
a second electrode; and
a layer comprising a semiconducting nanoparticle of claim 1 disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode.
3. The article of claim 2 , wherein the article emits visible light when subjected to an electric potential and current.