Electrospray organometallic chemical vapor deposition—A novel technique for preparation of II–VI quantum dot composites

Abstract

A novel technique combining electrospray and organometallic chemical vapor deposition (OMCVD) has been developed for the synthesis of new II–VI quantum dot composites. CdSe nanocrystals (quantum dots) of selected size are dispersed in a pyridine/acetonitrile mixture. The nanocrystals are transferred by electrospray into the growth zone of an OMCVD reactor and codeposited on a ZnSe matrix grown from hydrogen selenide and diethyl zinc. Composites consisting of CdSe nanocrystals and an amorphous or polycrystalline ZnSe matrix have been deposited on glass substrates at temperatures of 150–250 °C. Room-temperature absorption and photoluminescence spectra show optical transitions characteristic of the initial nanocrystal dispersions. The emission wavelength may be tuned in a broad spectral region by incorporating nanocrystals of varying sizes. The composites have been characterized by Auger electron spectroscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, and scanning transmission electron microscopy.