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Diffusion-Limited Kinetics of Isovalent Cation Exchange in III–V Nanocrystals Dispersed in Molten Salt Reaction Media

Journal Article · · Nano Letters

The goal of this work is to determine the kinetic factors that govern isovalent cation exchange in III–V colloidal quantum dots using molten salts as the solvent and cation source. We focus on the reactions of InP + GaI3→ In1xGaxP and InAs + GaI3→ In1–xGaxAs to create technologically important ternary III–V phases. We find that the molten salt reaction medium causes the transformation of nearly spherical InP nanocrystals to tetrahedron-shaped In1–xGaxP nanocrystals. Furthermore, we determine that the activation energy for the cation exchange reaction is 0.9 eV for incorporation of Ga into InP and 1.2 eV for incorporation of Ga into InAs, both much lower than the measured values in bulk semiconductors. Next, we use powder XRD simulations to constrain our understanding of the structure of the In1–xGaxP nanocrystals. Together our results reveal several important features of molten salt-mediated cation exchange and provide guidance for future development of these materials.

Research Organization:
Argonne National Laboratory (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Scientific User Facilities (SUF); USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES). Materials Sciences & Engineering Division (MSE); National Science Foundation (NSF)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC02-06CH11357
OSTI ID:
2469540
Journal Information:
Nano Letters, Journal Name: Nano Letters Journal Issue: 16 Vol. 22; ISSN 1530-6984
Publisher:
American Chemical SocietyCopyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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