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Synthesis of non-spherical CdSe nanocrystals

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Abstract

Non-spherical CdSe quantum dots were synthesized through high temperature reduction of cadmium and selenium in the presence of TOP (tri-n-octylphosphine) and TOPO (tri-n-octylphosphine oxide). The high affinity of phosphine oxide to the surface of CdSe nanocrystals typically leads to the formation of spherical particles with diameters between 1.5 and 10 nm. However, with lower temperatures and longer reaction times relative to conventional synthesis techniques, the formation of non-spherical nanocrystals dominated. The three reaction temperatures that were studied were 230, 250, and 270 °C. Results verify the need to quench CdSe nanocrystals immediately following the injection of selenium dissolved in TOP (TOPSe) if spherical particles are the desired shape. Nanocrystal shape evolves from sphere to rectangle to hexagon or triangle as the reaction time is extended regardless of temperature. The highest yield of rectangular particles (~89 %) was achieved while maintaining a temperature of 250 °C for 20 min.

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Acknowledgments

The authors gratefully acknowledge the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science (ICTAS) at Virginia Tech for postdoctoral associate support (O.I.) and the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program for graduate research support (K.Z.). Authors also acknowledge ICTAS NCFL (Nanoscale Characterization and Fabrication Laboratory) for providing access to TEM.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science (ICTAS), Virginia Tech, ICTAS Building, 325 Stanger Street, MC 0193, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA

    Olga S. Ivanova & Thomas A. Campbell

  2. School of Biomedical Engineering and Sciences, Virginia Tech, ICTAS Building, 325 Stanger Street, MC 0298, Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA

    Kristen A. Zimmermann

  3. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanoscale Characterization and Fabrication Laboratory, Virginia Tech, 1991 Kraft Dr., Blacksburg, VA, 24061, USA

    James R. Tuggle

Authors
  1. Olga S. Ivanova
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  2. Kristen A. Zimmermann
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  3. James R. Tuggle
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  4. Thomas A. Campbell
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Olga S. Ivanova.

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Ivanova, O.S., Zimmermann, K.A., Tuggle, J.R. et al. Synthesis of non-spherical CdSe nanocrystals. J Nanopart Res 15, 1382 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-012-1382-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-012-1382-7

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