Adapting two-phase synthesis method to develop cadmium poor quaternary ZnCd-chalcogenide quantum dots

The photophysical properties of quantum dots (QDs) can be tuned by controlling nanocrystal size and/or nanocrystal composition through the synthesis of different cadmium-based QD forms, such as binary core, core-shell, or alloy. Recently, ternary and quaternary alloy type cadmium-based QDs have become the focus of attention. In this study, we report on adapting the two-phases synthesis approach for the synthesis of cadmium poor ZnCdSSe heterogenous quaternary-alloyed QDs. This work includes a method that allows QDs to grow at a slow growth rate and sheds light on quantum dot heterogeneous alloy structures highlighting the variation of photophysical properties in different synthesis compositions. •Two phase synthesis method is adapted to synthesize quaternary quantum dots with two metals.•Cadmium content could be controlled in ZnCdSSe quantum dots.•Photophysical properties of quantum dots could be controlled by controlling the composition of quantum dot.•Luminescent ZnCdSSeTe pentad quantum dots were synthesized by two phase synthesis method for the first time in literature.