Guanajuato, Gto., August 28, 2019.- A research group at Guanajuato University (UG) works on the development of materials that can serve as clean, efficient and low-cost energy sources, by synthesizing quantum dots with photoluminescent properties.

Due to the deterioration of the environment, the objective of the project carried out in the Division of Natural and Exact Sciences (DCNE) has as its main objective the synthesis and characterization of new materials to provide more options for energy consumption based on fossil energy.

The project is led by Dr. Guillermo González Guerra and Dr. Alejandro Alatorre Ordaz, in collaboration with Dr. Gerardo González García, who together with students such as Miriam Mayela Alcocer Anaya found in quantum points an alternative interesting to the energy crisis; because by presenting characteristics of semiconductor materials they can be used as synthetic energy sources, easier to obtain and even more efficient than LED lights.

In this regard, Mayela Alcocer, a fifth semester student in the Bachelor's Degree in Pharmaceutical Chemistry Biologist, explained that a previous study with thesis at the DCNE Laboratory of Environmental Electrochemistry found that the quantum points of metal chalcogenides (especially Zinc, Cadmium and Sulphur), can emit the entire visible spectrum - from blue to red - and it was hypothesized that at a specific concentration white light could be obtained.

"The white light we know as artificial light or warm light doesn't really exist." That is, mixtures of cadmium, arsenic and other elements are used; these materials emit in blue and orange and by placing a filter gives the impression of white light. The innovation in the project in which Mayela collaborates is that they found that quantum dots can emit white light, "that's very innovative."

In addition to environmental advantages, quantum points are expected to be more efficient and more energy-saving than compact spotlights or LED lights; various applications are also provided, for example in photovoltaic cells.

The UG student detailed that quantum dots have mainly three characteristics: they must be of semiconductor materials and have the property of quantum confinement, which is what allows them to be photoluminescent.

This project was exhibited by Miriam Mayela Alcocer Anaya at the XII International Convention on Environment and Development recently held in Havana, Cuba.

In this regard, Dr. Guillermo González Guerra, a guest scholar attached to the Department of Chemistry and professor at the School of Higher Middle Level of Guanajuato, noted that this congress brings together specialists from all over the world to try to solve the problem where this UG working group had an outstanding participation, in presenting seven proposals.

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