2 research outputs found
Nonthermal Plasma Synthesis of Core/Shell Quantum Dots: Strained Ge/Si Nanocrystals
In
this work, we present an all-gas-phase approach for the synthesis
of quantum-confined core/shell nanocrystals (NCs) as a promising alternative
to traditional solution-based methods. Spherical quantum dots (QDs)
are grown using a single-stage flow-through nonthermal plasma, yielding
monodisperse NCs, with a concentric core/shell structure confirmed
by electron microscopy. The in-flight negative charging of the NCs
by plasma electrons keeps the NC cores separated during shell growth.
The success of this gas-phase approach is demonstrated here through
the study of Ge/Si core/shell QDs. We find that the epitaxial growth
of a Si shell on the Ge QD core compressively strains the Ge lattice
and affords the ability to manipulate the Ge band structure by modulation
of the core and shell dimensions. This all-gas-phase approach to core/shell
QD synthesis offers an effective method to produce high-quality heterostructured
NCs with control over the core and shell dimensions
Obtaining Structural Parameters from STEM–EDX Maps of Core/Shell Nanocrystals for Optoelectronics
Characterization
efforts of core/shell and core/multishell nanocrystals
have struggled to quantitatively evaluate the interface width between
the core and shell materials despite its importance in their optoelectronic
properties. Here, we demonstrate a scanning transmission electron
microscopy (STEM) method for measuring the radial elemental composition
of two spherical core/shell nanocrystal systems, Ge/Si core/shell
and CdSe/CdS/ZnS core/double-shell nanocrystals. By fitting model-based
radial distributions of elements to measured STEM–energy-dispersive
X-ray (EDX) maps, this method yields reliable and accurate measurements
of interface broadening as well as core and shell sizes, surface roughness,
and the fraction of core material in the shell. The direct evaluation
of the structural parameters is an important step toward improving
the synthesis of core/shell nanocrystals and optimizing their optoelectronic
properties