Colloidal atomic layer deposition growth of PbS/CdS core/shell quantum dots
Michel Nasilowski1, Lea Nienhaus1, Sophie N Bertram1
1Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA. mgb@mit.edu.
Chemical Communications (Cambridge, England)
|December 22, 2016
Summary
Colloidal atomic layer deposition (c-ALD) enables precise, single-monolayer CdS shell growth on PbS quantum dots (QDs). This method overcomes challenges in traditional synthesis, creating a
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Quantum Dot Synthesis
Background:
- Traditional synthesis of PbS/CdS quantum dots (QDs) relies on cation exchange methods.
- Existing methods present challenges in achieving fine control over shell growth.
- Controlled shell growth is crucial for optimizing QD properties and performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce and demonstrate colloidal atomic layer deposition (c-ALD) for QD synthesis.
- To enable precise, sequential monolayer growth of CdS shells on PbS QDs.
- To overcome limitations of traditional cation exchange methods for shell deposition.
Main Methods:
- Utilized colloidal atomic layer deposition (c-ALD) for sequential shell growth.
- Deposited single monolayers of Cadmium Sulfide (CdS) onto Lead Sulfide (PbS) QDs.
- Characterized the resulting core-shell QD structures.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated successful sequential growth of CdS monolayers via c-ALD.
- Achieved a 'true' CdS shell structure on PbS QDs.
- Showcased superior control over shell thickness compared to traditional methods.
Conclusions:
- Colloidal atomic layer deposition (c-ALD) offers precise control over QD shell growth.
- This method facilitates the creation of well-defined PbS/CdS core-shell quantum dots.
- c-ALD represents a significant advancement for synthesizing high-quality quantum dots.
