Activation energy and carrier dynamics of CdTe/ZnTe quantum dots on GaAs and Si substrates

► CdTe/ZnTe quantum dots (QDs) were grown on GaAs and Si substrates. ► Activation energy of QDs on GaAs substrate is higher than that of QDs on Si substrate. ► Decay time of QDs on Si substrate is shorter than that of QDs on GaAs substrate. ► Defects and dislocations in QDs on Si substrate provide nonradiative channels.