Manipulating light emission of quantum dots by simultaneously controlling crystal morphology and doping

This study reports the feasibility of manipulating light emission of spherical and non-spherical ZnSe quantum dots doped with iodine at the crystal surface or matrix. Experimental results suggested that photoluminescence of both spherical and non-spherical ZnSe quantum dots was significantly dependent on the dopant radial position. On the other hand, the crystal morphology was found to affect the doping state of iodine in the quantum dots. The doped iodine of the spherical and non-spherical quantum dots was mainly at the crystal surface and matrix, respectively. The spherical quantum dots doped with iodine exhibited photoluminescence at about 510 nm, while non-spherical ones showed much longer wavelength (similar to 580 nm) and higher emission efficiency. The results reveal a new way to design luminescent materials via simultaneously controlling crystal morphology and doping.