Synthesis of highly photo-stable CuInS2/ZnS core/shell quantum dots

• Simple method for synthesizing CuInS2 with multiple monolayers of ZnS shell.
• Significantly improved photostability with increasing shell thickness.
• Large scale synthesis of highly photo-stable CIS/ZnS QDs with quantum yield reaching approximately 50%.
• Adaptability with regard to different chemical environment.

CuInS2 quantum dots are considered near-ideal fluorophores based on their bright emission and low toxicity. However, CuInS2 quantum dots are still bothered by their sensitivity to surface chemistry and chemical environment. Traditionally, the CIS QDs require an additional coating process to be encapsulated inside silica sphere or organic polymer. Up till now, few works have been made concerning improving the intrinsic stability of CIS QDs. In an effort to improve the stability of CuInS2 quantum dots, we came up with a new method by increasing the ZnS shell thickness. These QDs were characterized by photoluminescence, HRTEM, XRD and XRF analysis. We investigated the influence of ZnS shell thickness on the ambient stability of CIS/ZnS QDs. The results demonstrated that a thicker ZnS shell helped significantly improve both photostability and chemical stability of the QDs. Finally, the thick shell QDs were dispersed into transparent polymer matrix and fabricated into a LED device, which also gave much more stability compared with conventional QDs.