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Updated: May 23, 2026

Seeded Synthesis of CdSe/CdS Rod and Tetrapod Nanocrystals
Published on: December 11, 2013
Molecular control of the nanoscale: effect of phosphine-chalcogenide reactivity on CdS-CdSe nanocrystal composition
T Purnima A Ruberu1, Haley R Albright, Brandon Callis
1Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, USA.
Abstract:
We demonstrate molecular control of nanoscale composition, alloying, and morphology (aspect ratio) in CdS-CdSe nanocrystal dots and rods by modulating the chemical reactivity of phosphine-chalcogenide precursors. Specific molecular precursors studied were sulfides and selenides of triphenylphosphite (TPP), diphenylpropylphosphine (DPP), tributylphosphine (TBP), trioctylphosphine (TOP), and hexaethylphosphorustriamide (HPT). Computational (DFT), NMR ((31)P and (77)Se), and high-temperature crossover studies unambiguously confirm a chemical bonding interaction between phosphorus and chalcogen atoms in all precursors. Phosphine−chalcogenide precursor reactivity increases in the order: HPTE < TOPE < TBPE < DPPE

