Room temperature synthesis of 1-hexanethiolate capped Cu2−xSeCu2−xSe quantum dots, in Triton X-100 water-in-oil microemulsions

1-Hexanethiolate capped copper(I) selenide quantum dots were synthesized at room temperature by the method of arrested precipitation in Triton X-100, water-in-oil microemulsions. A shoulder at 450 nm observed in the UV–vis spectrum was associated to the formation of size-quantized particles. X-ray and electron diffraction analysis revealed the formation of nanocrystallites of cubic Cu2−xSeCu2−xSe (Berzelianite) phase having a lattice constant of 5.70 ±0.07 Å. This phase has been otherwise known to form at room temperature, only with the assistance of ultrasound/microwave/ γ-radiation or in presence of excess selenium. Using Debye–Scherrer equation, the average particle size was estimated to be ca. 7.3 nm. Two major peaks at 1114 cm−1 and 619 cm−1 in the FT-IR spectra, were fitted to Cu–S stretching and bending, respectively. It suggests the formation of stable Cu–S bond between surface copper ions and the adsorbed 1-hexanethiolate.