Synthesis of tetrahedral quasi-type-II CdSe-CdS core-shell quantum dots

Nanotechnology. 2011 Oct 21;22(42):425202. doi: 10.1088/0957-4484/22/42/425202. Epub 2011 Sep 23.

Abstract

Synthesis of colloidal nanocrystals of II-VI semiconductor materials has been refined in recent decades and their size dependent optoelectronic properties have been well established. Here we report a facile synthesis of CdSe-CdS core-shell heterostructures using a two-step hot injection process. Red-shifts in absorption and photoluminescence spectra show that the obtained quantum dots have quasi-type-II alignment of energy levels. The obtained nanocrystals have a heterostructure with a large and highly faceted tetrahedral CdS shell grown epitaxially over a spherical CdSe core. The obtained morphology as well as high resolution electron microscopy confirms that the tetrahedral shell have a zinc blende crystal structure. A phenomenological mechanism for the growth and morphology of the nanocrystals is discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't