Growth and properties of hydrothermally derived crystalline ZnSe quantum dots

Chalcogenide nanostructures are the materials with diverse applications. Here, we report rapid hydrothermal synthesis of crystalline ZnSe quantum dots (QDs), avoiding the use of toxic chemicals. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on very rapid (5 h) hydrothermal synthesis of pristine ZnSe QDs. Elemental selenium is used as a source for selenium. Structural, morphological, compositional, and optical properties of the semiconductor were studied. Structural properties (X-ray diffraction) demonstrate that the particles have grown in a single cubic phase. Morphological studies show formation of agglomerated QDs (4 nm). The material possess stoichiometric ratio of the constituent elements that are uniformly distributed. Selected area electron diffraction (SAED) study indicated the material is polycrystalline in nature. Optical properties demonstrated that the QDs are suitable for optoelectronic devices exhibiting room temperature photoluminescence. Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage (CIE) chromaticity diagram shows the material exhibits violet emission and hence suitable for violet LEDs that have potential ability in clinical applications.