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.