Functionalizable magnetic/luminous silicon/bismuth core/shell nanocrystalline particles

► Bismuth-covered silicon nanocrystalline quantum dots can exhibit characteristics of magnetic nanoparticles. ► Can also exhibit properties of luminescent semiconductor dots, accompanied by manifestations of metal-insulator transition. ► These properties, can be critical for the development of nanoscale optoelectronic and opto-magnetic switches.