Synthesis of ZnO quantum dots and their agglomeration mechanisms along with emission spectra based on ageing time and temperature**Project supported by the FRFCU (Grant No. 2016JBM066), 863 Program (Grant No. 2013AA032205), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 61575019, 51272022, and 11474018), and RFDP (Grant Nos. 20120009130005 and 20130009130001).

Abstract

The ZnO quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized with improved chemical solution method. The size of the ZnO QDs is exceedingly uniform with a diameter of approximately 4.8 nm, which are homogeneously dispersed in ethanol. The optical absorption edge shifts from 370 nm of bulk material to 359 nm of QD materials due to the quantum size effect, while the photoluminescence peak shifts from 375 nm to 387 nm with the increase of the density of ZnO QDs. The stability of ZnO QDs was studied with different dispersion degrees at 0 °C and at room temperature of 25 °C. The agglomeration mechanisms and their relationship with the emission spectra were uncovered for the first time. With the ageing of ZnO QDs, the agglomeration is aggravated and the surface defects increase, which leads to the defect emission.