Destabilizing Magic-Sized Clusters for Synthesis of Monodisperse and Highly Luminescent In(Zn)P/ZnSe/ZnS Quantum Dots

We report a novel synthesis of monodisperse In­(Zn)­P/ZnSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) with a high photoluminescence quantum yield and stability. The formation of metastable magic-sized clusters (MSCs) during reaction prevents separation of nucleation and growth stages and hence the synthesis of QD cores with narrow size distribution. The stability of MSCs was reduced by employing additives (i.e., tri-n-octylphosphine and zinc chloride) during the heating-up process, thereby inducing decarboxylation and ligand exchange reactions. The resulting QD cores exhibited a more uniform size distribution, and surface passivation from the additives improved their stability. The final product, In­(Zn)­P/ZnSe/ZnS QDs displayed a high photoluminescence quantum yield with narrow full-width at half-maximum, which could readily be used in display applications.