FLUORESCENT ENGINEERED SILICON QUANTUM DOTS (SiQDs) AS AN EFFICIENT SCALE INHIBITOR

Abstract

A nanophotonic scale inhibitor includes a silicon quantum dot core having a functionalized surface including a plurality of carboxyl groups, sulfonate groups, or phosphonate groups. A method for synthesizing a nanophotonic scale inhibitor material includes preparing silicon quantum dots for surface functionalization and functionalizing surfaces of the silicon quantum dots with one of a carboxyl group, sulfonate group, and phosphonate group. A method of inhibiting and monitoring scale formation in water systems includes providing the nanophotonic scale inhibitor to the water in the water system and visualizing scale formation by detecting fluorescence of the nanotphotonic scale inhibitor.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.