Halide-Amine Co-Passivated Indium Phosphide Colloidal Quantum Dots in Tetrahedral Shape

Abstract

Wet chemical synthesis of covalent III-V colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) has been challenging because of uncontrolled surfaces and a poor understanding of surface-ligand interactions. We report a simple acid-free approach to synthesize highly crystalline indium phosphide CQDs in the unique tetrahedral shape by using tris(dimethylamino) phosphine and indium trichloride as the phosphorus and indium precursors, dissolved in oleylamine. Our chemical analyses indicate that both the oleylamine and chloride ligands participate in the stabilization of tetrahedral-shaped InP CQDs covered with cation-rich (111) facets. Based on density functional theory calculations, we propose that fractional dangling electrons of the In-rich (111) surface could be completely passivated by three halide and one primary amine ligands per the (2x2) surface unit, satisfying the 8-electron rule. This halide-amine co-passivation strategy will benefit the synthesis of stable III-V CQDs with controlled surfaces.