Destabilizing Magic-Sized Clusters for Synthesis of Monodisperse and Highly Luminescent In(Zn)P/ZnSe/ZnS Quantum Dots

We report a novel synthesis of monodisperse In(Zn)P/ZnSe/ZnSquantumdots (QDs) with a high photoluminescence quantum yield and stability.The formation of metastable magic-sized clusters (MSCs) during reactionprevents separation of nucleation and growth stages and hence thesynthesis of QD cores with narrow size distribution. The stabilityof MSCs was reduced by employing additives (i.e., tri-n-octylphosphineand zinc chloride) during the heating-up process, thereby inducingdecarboxylation and ligand exchange reactions. The resulting QD coresexhibited a more uniform size distribution, and surface passivationfrom the additives improved their stability. The final product, In(Zn)P/ZnSe/ZnSQDs displayed a high photoluminescence quantum yield with narrow full-widthat half-maximum, which could readily be used in display applications.