The systematic study of the precursor ratio effect in the Cd–Zn–S quantum dot synthesis

Abstract

Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) have attracted great attention due to their unique optical and chemical properties. An increasing demand for size and shape uniformity of QDs, high quantum yield (QY) and photochemical stability can be resolved by synthetic methods. Here we report a study of the effect of the precursor ratios within the synthesis of a series of Cd–Zn–S QDs. Trisubstituted thiourea (N-phenylmorpholine-4-carbothioamide) as a new and environmentally friendly source of sulphur in the synthesis of Cd_0.2Zn_0.8S QDs (Cd, Zn : S molar ratios = 1 : 0.5; 1 : 1; 1 : 1.5; 1 : 2; 1 : 2.5) and Cd_xZn_1−xS QDs (where x = 0.1; 0.25; 0.5; 0.75; 0.9) has been investigated. It was determined that an increase in the molar ratio of trisubstituted thiourea to metals leads to the growth of QDs and as a consequence, to a small emission red shift in the visible region of the spectrum. However, no significant changes in the elemental ratio in the material were detected. It was found that with an excess of trisubstituted thiourea taken to the reaction, oleylamine (OAm) as a co-ligand replaces linoleic acid from the protective shell of the QDs. In the case of an increase of Cd content in the Cd_xZn_1−xS QDs, a significant shift in the emission to the red region of the spectrum was observed with an increase in the size of the QDs while their shape was unchanged. Based on the XRD data, a gradual transition from a cubic to a hexagonal crystal structure was detected. The high quantum yield (70%), the narrow photoluminescence (PL) signal (FWHM < 31 nm) and the size uniformity of the obtained nanomaterials are promising features for production of highly sensitive sensors and LEDs.