[8][7][6] Murray, David Norris and Manoj Nirmal were the first graduate students to work with Moungi Bawendi at MIT.
[9] As part of his thesis work, Murray helped to develop synthetic methods for making quantum dots, including identifying a longer chain version of trioctylphosphine oxide as being cheaper and having additional benefits when used in synthesis.
In 1993, Murray, Norris and Bawendi published a breakthrough paper describing the hot injection synthesis method for making quantum dots.
[9] Both Murray's and Bawendi's contributions to the synthesis and characterization of semiconductor quantum dots were recognized by the American Chemical Society with its 1997 Nobel Laureate Signature Award.
[7] Their method was both adaptable and reproducible, making it possible to consistently synthesise monodisperse nanoparticles and develop large-scale applications using quantum dots.