InP/ZnS quantum dot photoluminescence modulation <i>via in situ</i> H₂S interface engineering

Journal article

InP quantum dots (QDs) are attracting significant interest as a potentially less toxic alternative to Cd-based QDs in many research areas. Although InP-based core/shell QDs with excellent photoluminescent properties have been reported so far, sophisticated interface treatment to eliminate defects is often necessary. Herein, using aminophosphine as a seeding source of phosphorus, we find that H2S can be efficiently generated from the reaction between thiol and alkylamine at high temperature. Apart from general comprehending that H2S act as an S precursor, it is revealed that with core etching by H2S, the interface between InP and ZnS can be reconstructed with S2- incorporation. Such a transition layer can reduce inherent defects at the interface, resulting in significant photoluminescence (PL) enhancement. Meanwhile, the size of the InP core could be further controlled by H2S etching, which offers a feasible process to obtain wide band gap InP-based QDs with blue emission

Authors: Fan, X-B; Shin, D-W; Lee, S; Ye, J; Yu, S

• Publication status: Published
• Peer review status: Peer reviewed
• Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
• Journal: Nanoscale Horizons
• Volume: 8
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 522-529
• Publication date: 2023-03-27
• DOI: 10.1039/d2nh00436d
• ISSN: 2055-6756
• Language: English
• Keywords: Etching (microfabrication); Core (optical fiber); Layer (electronics); Photoluminescence; Composite material; Quantum dot; Optoelectronics; Materials science; Interface (matter); Nanotechnology