# US 10,246,637 B2 · One-pot method for preparing core-shell nanocrystals > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,246,637 B2 - Document ID: US10246637B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/149,131 - Filed: 2016-05-07 - Published: 2016-11-10 - Granted: 2019-04-02 - Earliest claimed: 2015-05-08 - Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Applicants: Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Inventors: Zhengtao Deng; Tian Ming; He Dong; Aishuang Xiang; Jing Kong - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10246637B2 ## CPC - C09K 11/883: {with zinc or cadmium} - B01J 13/02: Making microcapsules or microballoons {(for medical preparations A61K9/50)} - C09B 67/0097: {Dye preparations of special physical nature; Tablets, films, extrusion, microcapsules, sheets, pads, bags with dyes} - B82Y 15/00: Nanotechnology for interacting, sensing or actuating, e.g. quantum dots as markers in protein assays or molecular motors - B82Y 40/00: Manufacture or treatment of nanostructures - Y10S 977/882: Assembling of separate components, e.g. by attaching - C09K: MATERIALS FOR MISCELLANEOUS APPLICATIONS, NOT PROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE - B01J: CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROCESSES, e.g. CATALYSIS OR COLLOID CHEMISTRY; THEIR RELEVANT APPARATUS - C09B: ORGANIC DYES OR CLOSELY-RELATED COMPOUNDS FOR PRODUCING DYES {, e.g. PIGMENTS}; MORDANTS; LAKES (fermentation or enzyme using processes to synthesise a desired chemical compound C12P) - B82Y: SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MEASUREMENT OR ANALYSIS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF NANOSTRUCTURES - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract A method for preparing a core-shell nanocrystal can include mixing an M-containing precursor solution, an X-containing precursor solution, and an acid or alcohol in an inert atmosphere at a first temperature to form a reaction mixture; maintaining the reaction mixture at the first temperature to grow the MX core of the nanocrystal; raising the temperature of the reaction mixture to a second temperature; and maintaining the reaction mixture at the second temperature to grow a shell of the nanocrystal. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for preparing a core-shell nanocrystal comprising: mixing an M-containing precursor solution, an X-containing precursor solution, and an acid or alcohol in an inert atmosphere at a first temperature to form a reaction mixture; maintaining the reaction mixture at the first temperature to grow an MX semiconductor crystalline core of the nanocrystal; raising the temperature of the reaction mixture to a second temperature; and maintaining the reaction mixture at the second temperature to grow a semiconductor crystalline shell of the nanocrystal for a period of between 5 to 120 minutes. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the M-containing precursor solution includes zinc, cadmium, or mercury. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the first temperature is between 40° C. and 140° C. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the X-containing precursor solution includes sulfur, selenium, or tellurium. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the acid includes a thioglycolic acid. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the acid or alcohol includes a mercaptopropionic acid or alcohol. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the nanocrystal is polyhedral. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the acid or alcohol includes a thiol group. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the acid or alcohol includes a selenol group. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the shell includes MS or MSe. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the reaction mixture is aqueous. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising maintaining the reaction mixture at the first temperature for a period of between 5 minutes and 2 hours. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the inert atmosphere includes argon or nitrogen. ### Claim 14 A method of preparing a core-shell nanocrystal comprising: forming a reaction mixture containing a first group II (M1) precursor, a second group II precursor (M2), a first group VI precursor (X1), and an acid or alcohol including a second group VI material (X2); maintaining the reaction mixture at a first temperature to grow the M1X1 core of the nanocrystal; raising the temperature of the reaction mixture to a second temperature; and maintaining the reaction mixture at the second temperature to grow a M2X2 shell of the nanocrystal for a period of between 5 to 120 minutes. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein M1 includes zinc, cadmium, or mercury. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein M2 includes zinc, cadmium, or mercury. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the first temperature is between 40° C. and 140° C. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein X1 includes sulfur, selenium, or tellurium. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein X2 includes sulfur, selenium, or tellurium. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the acid or alcohol includes a thiol group. ### Claim 21 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the acid or alcohol includes a selenol group. ### Claim 22 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the acid includes a thioglycolic acid. ### Claim 23 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the acid includes a mercaptopropionic acid. ### Claim 24 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the nanocrystal is polyhedral. ### Claim 25 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the reaction mixture is aqueous. ### Claim 26 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, further comprising maintaining the reaction mixture at the first temperature for a period of between 5 minutes and 2 hours. ### Claim 27 (depends on 14) The method of claim 14, wherein the inert atmosphere includes argon or nitrogen.