Colloidal monodisperse CdSe nanocrystals were homogeneously dispersed in an ionic liquid and investigated by means of cyclic voltammetry. Almost all known defect states in semiconductor nanocrystal were quantitatively measured with this non-optical method (including non-radiative defect states). Variation of the illumination and temperature resulted in excitation of defect-trapped electrons into the conducting band. Thus, success was had for the first time in correlating defect states in nanocrystals with those in the corresponding bulk crystals.

Determination of Defect States in Semiconductor Nanocrystals by Cyclic Voltammetry. E.Kucur, W.Bucking, R.Giernoth, T.Nann: Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 2005, 109[43], 20355-60