Synthesis of colloidal PbS nanocrystals with size tunable NIR emission
OwnerMargaret A. Hines, Gregory D. Scholesinventors
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Abstract
The present invention discloses a method for synthesis of narrowly dipsersed colloidal PbS nanocrystals that offer size-tunable near-infrared emission. The stability and processibility of these near-infrared emitting quantum dots makes them ideal materials for device applications. The use of cost-effective and non-pyrophoric precursors as well as the success of larger scale reactions means the present invention provides a method for the industrial scale production of PbS nanocrystals.
Claims15
A method for synthesizing colloidal nanocrystals of periodic table groups IV–VI compounds with a size-tunable electromagnetic emission, comprising the steps of:
- a) forming a first solution by dissolving a compound containing a metal selected from group IV of the periodic table in a first effective solvent;
- b) forming a second solution by dissolving a compound containing an element selected from group VI of the periodic table in a second effective solvent and mixing said second solution with said first solution to form a third solution;
- c) agitating the third solution for a selected period of time under controlled heating to grow colloidal nanoparticles of a IV–VI compound of selected mean size, said effective solvent including ligands that stabilize said colloidal nanoparticles;
- and
- d) isolating the colloidal nanoparticles of selected mean size.
A method for synthesizing colloidal nanocrystals of PbS, comprising the steps of:
- a) forming a first solution by dissolving a compound containing lead (Pb) in an effective stabilizing solvent;
- b) forming a second solution by dissolving a compound containing sulphur (S) in an effective solvent and mixing said second solution with said first solution to form a third solution;
- c) stirring the third solution for a selected period of time under controlled heating to grow colloidal nanoparticles of PbS of selected mean size, said effective solvent including ligands that stabilize said PbS colloidal nanoparticles;
- and
- d) isolating the colloidal PbS nanoparticles or selected mean size.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.