Particle-in-a-box concept

In 2002, Rosenthal and co-workers reported using semiconductor nanocrystals as visual aides for introducing the particle-in-a-box concept to juniors and seniors in physical chemistry (P). However, at that time, the best chemical procedure for producing large quantities of high quahty quantum dots was based on the work of Murray 10, 11). In this method, dimethyl cadmium, an extremely toxic and pyrophoric substance, was reacted at high temperatures under an inert atmosphere. The synthesis was expensive, difficult to control, and could potentially become explosive, certainly not a method suitable for an introductory laboratory with novice laboratoiy students. 

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