1 research outputs found
Zinc–Phosphorus Complex Working as an Atomic Valve for Colloidal Growth of Monodisperse Indium Phosphide Quantum Dots
Growth
of monodisperse indium phosphide (InP) quantum dots (QDs)
represents a pressing demand in display applications, as size uniformity
is related to color purity in display products. Here, we report the
colloidal synthesis of InP QDs in the presence of Zn precursors in
which size uniformity is markedly enhanced as compared to the case
of InP QDs synthesized without Zn precursors. Nuclear magnetic resonance
spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry
analyses on aliquots taken during the synthesis allow us to monitor
the appearance of metal–phosphorus complex intermediates in
the growth of InP QDs. In the presence of zinc carboxylate, intermediate
species containing Zn–P bonding appears. The Zn–P intermediate
complex with PÂ(SiMe<sub>3</sub>)<sub>3</sub> exhibits lower reactivity
than that of the In–P complex, which is corroborated by our
prediction based on density functional theory and electrostatic potential
charge analysis. The formation of a stable Zn–P intermediate
complex results in lower reactivity, which enables slow growth of
QDs and lowers the extreme reactivity of PÂ(SiMe<sub>3</sub>)<sub>3</sub>, hence monodisperse QDs. Insights from experimental and theoretical
studies advance mechanistic understanding and control of nucleation
and growth of InP QDs, which are key to the preparation of monodisperse
InP-based QDs in meeting the demand of the display market