Green synthesis of high-quality indium phosphide quantum dots using tripyrrolidine phosphine as a promising phosphorus source for white LED

Abstract

Indium phosphide quantum dots (InP QDs) have emerged as highly promising contenders for cadmium-based quantum dots, primarily due to their environmentally sustainable attributes. Early methods for synthesizing InP QDs employed tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphine and tris(dimethylamino)phosphine as phosphorus sources. However, the associated toxicity and hazards of these sources have hindered further progress. In this study, we introduce tripyrrolidine phosphine as a safe alternative phosphorus source. This source not only guarantees affordability, but also simplifies recycling and hazardous waste treatment processes. Simultaneously, precise regulation of the Zn precursor during the growth of the ZnS shell has enabled the synthesis of InP QDs of exceptional quality with a prominent emission peak at 525 nm, an impressive photoluminescence quantum yield of 76.11 %, and a narrow half-peak width of 37 nm. This achievement sets a significant precedent for the development of an environmentally friendly InP QD synthesis methodology. Furthermore, the incorporation of the QDs into white LEDs yields compelling outcomes, including color coordinates of (0.33, 0.30) and a measured correlated color temperature of 5637 K. Therefore, this study not only establishes an innovative path for InP QD production, but also drives their broader integration into the realm of white LED applications.