Shape control of zincblende CdSe nanoplatelets

Area of Science:

• Nanotechnology
• Materials Science
• Quantum Dots

Background:

• Lateral dimensions of Cadmium Selenide (CdSe) nanoplatelets significantly influence their opto-electronic properties.
• Current synthesis methods offer good control over nanoplatelet thickness but lack control over lateral dimensions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To demonstrate controlled tuning of the aspect ratio and area of CdSe nanoplatelets.
• To enable precise control over lateral dimensions for tailored opto-electronic properties.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing a mixture of Cadmium Acetate (Cd(OAc)2) and hydrated Cadmium Acetate (Cd(OAc)2·2H2O) to induce in-plane growth.
• Adjusting the fraction of hydrated Cd(OAc)2 to control nanoplatelet aspect ratio.
• Employing reaction time to fine-tune the overall length and width of the nanoplatelets.

Main Results:

• Achieved independent control over nanoplatelet aspect ratio by varying the hydration level of Cd(OAc)2.
• Demonstrated that reaction time can be used to fine-tune the final dimensions.
• Observed that in situ formation of hydroxide anions alters surface energy, facilitating controlled in-plane growth.

Conclusions:

• The presented method allows for precise control over the lateral dimensions of CdSe nanoplatelets.
• This control over aspect ratio and area is crucial for tuning opto-electronic properties.
• The findings pave the way for designing CdSe nanoplatelets with specific functionalities for advanced applications.