Mechanistic Insights into the Formation of InP Quantum Dots

Abstract

The molecular mechanism of InP colloidal quantum dot (QD) syntheses was investigated by NMR spectroscopy. Unlike methods for monodisperse PbSe and CdSe, existing InP syntheses result in total depletion of molecular phosphorous species following nucleation, so QD growth is due exclusively to non-molecular ripening. Amines inhibit precursor depletion by solvation (see picture), contrary to previous reports.MIT-Harvard Center for Cancer Nanotechnology Excellence (National Institutes of Health (U.S.) 1U54-CA119349)United States. Army Research Office (ISN W911NF-07-D-0004)Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Chemistry Instrumentation Facility (CHE-980806)Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dept. of Chemistry Instrumentation Facility (DBI-9729592)National Science Foundation (U.S.). Graduate Research Fellowship Progra