Ligand Effects on Synthesis and Post-Synthetic Stability of PbSe Nanocrystals

Journal Article · Fri Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2010 · Journal of Physical Chemistry C

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/jp102660g· OSTI ID:1023878

Dai, Quanqin ^[1]; Zhang, Yu ^[2]; Wang, Yingnan ^[3]; Hu, Michael Z. ^[1]

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1. ORNL
2. Worcester Polytechnic Institute
3. Jilin University, Changchun

This paper reports the effect of ligands including oleic acid (OA), trioctylphosphine (TOP), and tributylphosphine (TBP) on the PbSe nanocrystal growth during synthesis, as well as the effect of OA ligands on the nanocrystal stability after synthesis. These ligands play important roles in the nucleation and growth mechanism of nanocrystals. We have discovered that the ligand effect on the growth of PbSe nanocrystals can differ from that on the mostly studied CdSe nanocrystals. Also, we present a method for producing relatively smaller and more monodisperse PbSe nanocrystals based on our new understanding that the use of TBP, instead of the generally reported TOP, can slow down the growth of PbSe nanocrystals. In addition, our postsynthetic investigation of OA ligand effects demonstrate the dominant desorption of OA-bonded Pb atoms, causing the shrinkage of PbSe nanocrystals. This provides some insight into stabilization strategies for labile PbSe nanocrystals.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Center for Nanophase Materials Sciences (CNMS)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program; USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
• DOE Contract Number: DE-AC05-00OR22725
• OSTI ID: 1023878
• Journal Information: Journal of Physical Chemistry C, Vol. 114, Issue 39; ISSN 1932--7447
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English