“Flash” Synthesis of CdSe/CdS Core–Shell Quantum Dots

Abstract

We report on the “flash” synthesis of CdSe/CdS core–shell quantum dots (QDs). This new method, based on a seeded growth approach and using an excess of a carboxylic acid, leads to an isotropic and epitaxial growth of a CdS shell on a wurtzite CdSe core. The method is particularly fast and efficient, allowing the controllable growth of very thick CdS shells (up to 6.7 nm in the present study) in no more than 3 min, which is considerably shorter than in previously reported methods. The prepared materials present state-of-the-art properties with narrow emission and high photoluminescence quantum yields, even for thick CdS shells. Additionally, Raman analyses point to an alloyed interface between the core and the shell, which, in conjunction with the thickness of the CdS shell, results in the observed considerable reduction of the blinking rate.