InP/ZnS quantum dot photoluminescence modulation via in situ H₂S interface engineering

InP quantum dots (QDs) are attracting significant interest as a potentially less toxic alternative to Cd-based QDs in many research areas. Although InP-based core/shell QDs with excellent photoluminescence properties have been reported so far, sophisticated interface treatment to eliminate defects is often necessary. Herein, using aminophosphine as a seeding source of phosphorus, we find that H₂S can be efficiently generated from the reaction between a thiol and an alkylamine at high temperatures. Apart from general comprehension that H₂S acts as a S precursor, it is revealed that with core etching by H₂S, the interface between InP and ZnS can be reconstructed with S^2- incorporation. Such a transition layer can reduce inherent defects at the interface, resulting in significant photoluminescence (PL) enhancement. Meanwhile, the size of the InP core could be further controlled by H₂S etching, which offers a feasible process to obtain wide band gap InP-based QDs with blue emission.