Tuning the synthesis of ternary lead chalcogenide quantum dots by balancing precursor reactivity

We report the synthesis and characterization of composition-tunable ternary lead chalcogenide alloys PbSe(x)Te(1-x), PbS(x)Te(1-x), and PbS(x)Se(1-x). This work explores the relative reaction rates of chalcogenide precursors to produce alloyed quantum dots (QDs), and we find the highly reactive bis(trimethylsilyl) (TMS(2))-based precursors allow for the homogeneous incorporation of anions. By varying the Pb to oleic acid ratio, we demonstrate size control of similar composition alloys. We find the resulting QDs are Pb-rich but the Pb/anion ratio is size- and composition-dependent in all alloyed QD as well as in PbSe, PbTe, and PbS QDs and is consistent with the reaction rates of the anion precursors. A more reactive anion precursor results in a lower Pb/anion ratio.