Low temperature synthesis of colloidal CdSe quantum dots

In this study, the CdSe nanocrystals were prepared in phenyl ether and octyl amine to investigate the variations of their size, bandgap energy, and photoluminescence with growth time and temperature. The sizes of the CdSe nanocrystals were measured using High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM), and found to be nearly monodisperse for relatively low growth temperature, 130 degrees C. Their optic properties were characterized by photoluminescence measurements, which showed that the colors of the nanocrystals could be controlled. The bandgap energies of the nanocrystals were calculated theoretically and found to be in accord with quantum confinement theory. This synthetic method requires only a cheap solvent and offers good reproducibility at a lower price.