TY - JOUR
T1 - Synthesis of super bright indium phosphide colloidal quantum dots through thermal diffusion
AU - Clarke, Mitchell T.
AU - Viscomi, Francesco Narda
AU - Chamberlain, Thomas W.
AU - Hondow, Nicole
AU - Adawi, Ali M.
AU - Sturge, Justin
AU - Erwin, Steven C.
AU - Bouillard, Jean Sebastien G.
AU - Tamang, Sudarsan
AU - Stasiuk, Graeme J.
PY - 2019
Y1 - 2019
N2 - Indium phosphide based quantum dots have emerged in recent years as alternatives to traditional heavy metal (cadmium, lead) based materials suitable for biomedical application due to their non-toxic nature. The major barrier to this application, is their low photoluminescent quantum yield in aqueous environments (typically < 5%). Here we present a synthetic method for InP/ZnS quantum dots, utilizing a controlled cooling step for equilibration of zinc sulfide across the core, resulting in a photoluminescent quantum yield as high as 85% in organic solvent and 57% in aqueous media. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest reported for indium phosphide quantum dots. DFT calculations reveal the enhancement in quantum yield is achieved by redistribution of zinc sulfide across the indium phosphide core through thermal diffusion. By eliminating the need for a glove box and relying on Schlenk line techniques, we introduce a widely accessible method for quantum dots with a realistic potential for improved biomedical applications.
AB - Indium phosphide based quantum dots have emerged in recent years as alternatives to traditional heavy metal (cadmium, lead) based materials suitable for biomedical application due to their non-toxic nature. The major barrier to this application, is their low photoluminescent quantum yield in aqueous environments (typically < 5%). Here we present a synthetic method for InP/ZnS quantum dots, utilizing a controlled cooling step for equilibration of zinc sulfide across the core, resulting in a photoluminescent quantum yield as high as 85% in organic solvent and 57% in aqueous media. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest reported for indium phosphide quantum dots. DFT calculations reveal the enhancement in quantum yield is achieved by redistribution of zinc sulfide across the indium phosphide core through thermal diffusion. By eliminating the need for a glove box and relying on Schlenk line techniques, we introduce a widely accessible method for quantum dots with a realistic potential for improved biomedical applications.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85071027488&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1038/s42004-019-0138-z
DO - 10.1038/s42004-019-0138-z
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85071027488
SN - 2399-3669
VL - 2
JO - Communications Chemistry
JF - Communications Chemistry
IS - 1
M1 - 36
ER -