Semiconductor Nanostructures and Synthesis Techniques

Semiconductor nanostructures show different properties compared to their bulk counterparts due to quantum confinement effects and enhanced surface-to-volume ratio with the reduction in particle size on nanoscale dimensions. This chapter introduces the nanomaterials, especially semiconductor nanostructures of various morphologies, quantum nanostructures (quantum dots, quantum wires and quantum wells) along with conventional 3D nanostructures. The present time is the introductory era of nanoscience and nanotechnology; synthesis of highly monodisperse nanostructures for device applications is a challenge for researchers and technocrats. This chapter discusses at length fascinatingly the bottom-up and top-down synthesis approaches along with the commonly used nanomaterial synthesis techniques, such as mechanical milling, lithography, electrospinning, template synthesis, chemical precipitation, sol-gel method, hydrothermal/solvothermal method, laser ablation, and other vapour processing methods.