Abstract
This paper reviews developments in the synthesis of InP quantum dots (QDs) and research on InP magic-sized clusters (MSCs), which occur as intermediates during the growth of InP QDs. We classify research on InP MSCs into (1) synthesis and characterization and (2) applications. Several InP MSCs have been developed using low reaction temperatures or strong binding ligands. InP MSCs passivated by carboxylate, amine or phosphonate ligands and InP MSCs that incorporate heterogeneous atoms (Cl or Zn) have been synthesized. We also review tools to characterize MSCs and show the intermediate characteristics of InP MSCs. InP MSCs have been used as synthesis precursors for spherical InP QDs and nonspherical InP nanostructures, such as elongated, branched, and hyperbranched/dendrimer-like morphologies. We also present MSC-mediated growth mechanisms involving fragments, monomers or other nanoclusters. Research on the chemistry and applications of InP MSCs has uncovered the formation process of InP nanomaterials. Developments in the luminescent properties of InP MSCs, InP QDs and elongated InP nanostructures would be useful in displays.
Highlights
Colloidal semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) have unique optical, physical, and chemical properties
The band-edge PL of a single Indium phosphide (InP) QD has a full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 14 nm at 613 nm, so narrow emission of ensemble InP QDs is not limited on a fundamental level[14]
InP magic-sized clusters (MSCs) have been captured as intermediates during the growth of InP QDs, and the mass of the InP MSCs has been detected up to 300 °C13; the results indicated that the high thermal stability of InP MSCs influences the growth of InP QDs
Summary
InP11,45 InAs12 CdS123 CdSe124 CdTe125 Cd3P2126 Cd3As2127 ZnSe36 ZnTe128 PbSe33 Ag2S55. Sizefocused InAs QDs have been synthesized using InAs MSC-mediated growth. Sized InAs QDs can be synthesized using intermediate nanoclusters as growth precursors to maintain the initial homogeneity[75]. PbSe MSCs with 50 ≤ QY ≤ 90% were achieved with no posttreatment[88], and ultrasmall CdSe nanoclusters with QY = 6.3% (in water) were used for intracellular imaging (Fig. 2g)[89]. InP MSCs with different surface ligands Ultrasmall InP nanoclusters of size 1.5–2.3 nm were successfully synthesized in 200190. To synthesize ultrasmall InP nanoclusters, TR was dropped to 100–220 °C instead of 300–400 °C, which is suitable for the growth of InP QDs. In addition, volatile stabilizers such as pyridine, tributylphosphine, hexylamine, or trioctylamine were used instead of the heavy coordinating solvents TOPO and TOP. The low TR inhibits the growth of nanoclusters into large QDs and is, one of the
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