Size: Nanocrystals range from 1-100 nm, while quantum dots are typically smaller, in the range of 2-10 nm. Quantum dots are always small enough for quantum confinement effects to dominate, whereas nanocrystals can be larger and may not always exhibit quantum confinement.
Structural Behavior: Both nanocrystals and quantum dots have crystalline structures, but quantum dots show quantized energy levels and strongly size-dependent optical and electronic properties due to quantum confinement. In contrast, larger nanocrystals exhibit more bulk-like properties with less pronounced quantum effects.