Synthesis of super bright indium phosphide colloidal quantum dots through thermal diffusion

Clarke, Mitchell T.; Viscomi, Francesco Narda; Chamberlain, Thomas W.; Hondow, Nicole; Adawi, Ali M.; Sturge, Justin; Erwin, Steven C.; Bouillard, Jean Sebastien G.; Tamang, Sudarsan; Stasiuk, Graeme J.

Abstract

© 2019, The Author(s). Indium phosphide based quantum dots have emerged in recent years as alternatives to traditional heavy metal (cadmium, lead) based materials suitable for biomedical application due to their non-toxic nature. The major barrier to this application, is their low photoluminescent quantum yield in aqueous environments (typically < 5%). Here we present a synthetic method for InP/ZnS quantum dots, utilizing a controlled cooling step for equilibration of zinc sulfide across the core, resulting in a photoluminescent quantum yield as high as 85% in organic solvent and 57% in aqueous media. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest reported for indium phosphide quantum dots. DFT calculations reveal the enhancement in quantum yield is achieved by redistribution of zinc sulfide across the indium phosphide core through thermal diffusion. By eliminating the need for a glove box and relying on Schlenk line techniques, we introduce a widely accessible method for quantum dots with a realistic potential for improved biomedical applications.

Citation

Clarke, M. T., Viscomi, F. N., Chamberlain, T. W., Hondow, N., Adawi, A. M., Sturge, J., …Stasiuk, G. J. (2019). Synthesis of super bright indium phosphide colloidal quantum dots through thermal diffusion. Communications Chemistry, 2(1), https://doi.org/10.1038/s42004-019-0138-z

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Mar 1, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Mar 22, 2019
• Publication Date: 2019-12
• Deposit Date: Mar 26, 2019
• Publicly Available Date: Mar 27, 2019
• Journal: Communications Chemistry
• Print ISSN: 2399-3669
• Electronic ISSN: 2399-3669
• Publisher: Nature Research (part of Springer Nature)
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 2
• Issue: 1
• Article Number: 36
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s42004-019-0138-z
• Keywords: Optical materials; Quantum dots
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/1415874
• Publisher URL: https://www.nature.com/articles/s42004-019-0138-z