Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 21, 2025

Synthesis of Cd-free InP/ZnS Quantum Dots Suitable for Biomedical Applications
Published on: February 6, 2016
Colloidal Zn3X2 (X = P, As) quantum dots with metal salts and their transformation into (InyZn1-y)3X2via
Seungmin Baek1, Jin-Soo Ha, Sungwoo Kim
1Department of Molecular Science and Technology, Ajou University, Suwon 16499, Republic of Korea. swkim@ajou.ac.kr.
Abstract:
We synthesized uniform Zn3X2 (X = P, As) quantum dots (QDs) for the first time using a stable, environmentally friendly zinc precursor instead of an organometallic precursor such as Me2Zn or Et2Zn, and controlled the QD size from about 2.0 nm to 6.0 nm. Moreover, tetragonal Zn3P2 and Zn3As2 QDs were transformed into zinc blende (InyZn1-y)3P2 and (InyZn1-y)3As2 QDs via the In3+ cationic-exchange reaction. To ensure the cation exchange reaction, we controlled reaction conditions, and confirmed it with various analytical methods. The replacement of Zn2+ by In3+ in the Zn3X2 QDs did not lead to changes in the particle size, but altered the optical properties and structure. In addition, we presented Cd3P2 and Cd3As2, which have the same tetragonal structure as the Zn3X2 QDs, through the same cationic exchange reaction.
Related Concept Videos
Colors and Magnetism
When atoms or molecules absorb light at the proper frequency, their electrons are excited to higher-energy orbitals. For many main group atoms and molecules, the absorbed photons are in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum, which cannot be detected by the human eye. For coordination compounds, the energy difference between the d orbitals often allows photons in the visible range to be absorbed and emitted, which is seen as colors by the human...
Valence Bond Theory
Colloidal precipitates
Formation of Complex Ions
Extraction: Advanced Methods

