Rapid oxidation of InP nanoparticles in air

InP nanoparticles (NPs) in the size range of 1.5–3 nm were synthesized using colloidal chemistry methods. Exposure of these NPs to air resulted in rapid oxidation, as shown by transmission electron microscopy. Diffraction and spectroscopic measurements confirmed the formation of In2O3. Similar behavior was observed for commercial InP NPs, even when capped with a ZnS shell. Photoluminescence studies suggest that the oxidation occurs even while InP NPs are still dispersed in hexane, albeit at a much slower rate.