Solution Phase Syntheses and Photochemical Properties of Multinary Semiconductor Quantum Dots

Abstract

Multinary metal chalcogenide semiconductor nanoparticles, such as AgInS₂, CuInS₂, and their solid solution with ZnS, have been recently reported to show strong photoluminescence, the wavelength of which was tunable in the range from visible to near IR lights by controlling their chemical composition and size. Many efforts have been made to develop the high-quality nanoparticles for the application to photoluminescent devices, photocatalysts, quantum dot solar cells, and materials for bio-imaging, because of their low toxicity and tunable optical properties. The present review shows that nanoparticles based on I-III-VI₂ group semiconductors are taking an important place in the search for Cd- and Pb-free materials. Chemical synthesis methods of multinary nanoparticles in solution phases are outlined and then we discuss their size- and composition-dependent photochemical properties which are useful for the application to photofunctional materials.