One solvent, one pot and free capping ligands: Synthesis of alloyed multipod-branched CdxZn1−xS nanocrystals

The solvent ethanolamine with the assistance of cationic doping has been applied to synthesize alloyed multipod-branched CdxZn1−xS (0 < x < 1) nanocrystals through a simple solvothermal route. During the growth of the alloyed multipod-branched nanocrystals, for one thing, the cationic doping enlarges the energy difference between wurtzite and zinc-blende phases; for another thing, the –OH groups of ethanolamine favor the thorough alloying effects and the formation of the zinc-blende-structured seeds, while the –NH2 groups facilitate the subsequent preferential growth of the wurtzite-phased arms. The composition x of the alloyed multipod-branched CdxZn1−xS nanocrystals can be facilely tuned by Cd/Zn initial molar ratios. Furthermore, the absorption edges (corresponding to optical band gaps Eg) and the near-band-edge emission peaks are varied with the doping Cd2+ content x. It is reasonable for us to believe that ethanolamine can also be employed to fabricate other alloyed multipod-branched nanocrystals such as CdSxSe1−x, CdSexTe1−x and CdSxTe1−x.

Graphical abstractThe alloyed multipod-branched CdxZn1−xS (0 < x < 1) NCs have been prepared through a simple solvothermal approach using one solvent ethanolamine without any capping ligands.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (57 K)Download as PowerPoint slide