title: Microbial synthesis of chalcogenide semiconductor nanoparticles: a review.
abstract: Chalcogenide semiconductor quantum dots are emerging as promising nanomaterials due to their size tunable optoelectronic properties. The commercial synthesis and their subsequent integration for practical uses have, however, been contorted largely due to the toxicity and cost issues associated with the present chemical synthesis protocols. Accordingly, there is an immediate need to develop alternative environment-friendly synthesis procedures. Microbial factories hold immense potential to achieve this objective. Over the past few years, bacteria, fungi and yeasts have been experimented with as eco-friendly and cost-effective tools for the biosynthesis of semiconductor quantum dots. This review provides a detailed overview about the production of chalcogen-based semiconductor quantum particles using the inherent microbial machinery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, Mangalore, Karnataka, 575 025, India.
authors.forename: Jaya Mary
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Jacob
authors.affiliation: UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education, Delft, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Piet N L
authors.initials: PN
authors.lastname: Lens
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, Mangalore, Karnataka, 575 025, India.
authors.forename: Raj Mohan
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Balakrishnan
mesh_terms: D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism*; D018011:Chalcogens / Q000378:metabolism*; D005658:Fungi / Q000378:metabolism*; D007218:Industrial Microbiology / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods; D053758:Nanoparticles / Q000378:metabolism*; D045663:Quantum Dots / Q000378:metabolism*; D012666:Semiconductors
chemical_list: D018011:Chalcogens