Synthesis of bright CdSe nanocrystals by optimization of low-temperature reaction parameters

Abstract

The reaction parameters of low-temperature synthesis of colloidal nanocrystals were investigated. It was found the structural and optical properties of CdSe nanocrystal quantum dots synthesized at 130 °C are particularly sensitive to alkyl-chain lengths of ligands, the cadmium source, and ligand to precursor ratios. Under optimized synthesis conditions CdSe quantum dots with narrow ensemble size distribution and excellent photoluminescence quantum efficiencies of up to 40 percent were obtained.