One-pot, easy and scalable synthesis of large-size short wave length IR emitting PbS quantum dots.

Abstract

This study presents a versatile and efficient method to synthesize large-size lead sulfide (PbS) quantum dots (QDs) that display emission in the short-wave infrared (SWIR) region, using accessible and stable diethylammonium diethyldithiocarbamate (C2)2DTCA and octylammonium octyldithiocarbamate (C8DTCA) as sulfur sources. As these sulfur sources enable the formation of well-dispersed, large-size PbS QDs in a very convenient way, this method can further be taken up for scale-up studies. Importantly, this approach allows precise control over QD sizes, thereby enhancing their SWIR optical properties. By adjusting the hot injection temperatures and sulfur source concentrations, different synthesis routes are explored, providing flexibility for the desired QD characteristics. The results presented here offer a promising opportunity to leverage the synthesized PbS QDs in applications such as optoelectronics, sensors, and imaging technology.