The assembling of semiconductor nanocrystals

Recent accomplishments in arranging semiconductor nanoparticles in a desired manner are reviewed. Coupling mechanisms utilized for this purpose include electrostatic and covalent interactions, methods like layer-by-layer assembly, solvent-controlled precipitation and surface amination for covalent attachment of nanoparticles are employed. Dipole-dipole interactions are operative in nanocrystal solids and fast Forster energy transfer is observed. (c) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005.