Evolution of non-phosphine solvents in colloidal synthesis of I-III-VI2 and I2-II-IV-VI4 group semiconductor nanomaterials - Current status

The concepts of new synthetic ideas and their implementation in the synthesis of semiconductor nanomaterials have been a subject of interest in recent years. Influence of solvents on the properties of nanomaterials is an important area being pursued extensively and need better understanding to move ahead with new innovations. The selective role of solvents is an indispensable criteria in order to achieve semiconductor nanomaterials with excellent physical and chemical properties. By selecting a suitable solvent system, the morphology, phase, size as well as the optical properties of the resultant nanomaterials could be precisely tuned. This makes a great interest in colloidal chemistry to utilize them for the synthesis of various kinds of nanostructures. Most of the recently emerging synthesis methods of I-III-VI2 and I-2-II-IV-VI4 group semiconductor nanomaterials are based on thermolysis of metal precursors in non-phosphine solvents. The composition and the crystallographic phase of the nanoparticles can be varied by carefully choosing suitable non-phosphine solvents. Hence, the role of non-phosphine solvents in determining the structural and optical properties of the semiconductor nanoparticles is crucial. The present review summarizes the active role of non-phosphine solvents in the crystal structure, morphology and other properties of I-III-VI2 and I-2-II-IV-VI4 group semiconductor nanomaterials. The recent interesting results on the developments of this subject and fundamental background literature have been discussed elaborately.