Preparation of Novel Semiconductor Nanoparticles Composed of Low Toxic Elements and the Application to Photo-functional Materials

Abstract

The chemical synthesis of ZnS-AgInS₂ solid solution (ZAIS) nanoparticles and their application to photo-functional materials are reviewed in the present paper. ZAIS nanoparticles were successfully prepared by thermal decomposition of (AgIn)_xZn_2(1-x)(S₂CNEt₂)₄ complex powders as a precursor. The chemical composition of the resulting particle was tunable by changing the composition (x) in the precursor powders. ZAIS nanoparticles exhibited intense photoluminescence, whose peak wavelength was blue-shifted from 780 to 540 nm with an increase in the content of Zn in ZAIS particles. The maximum quantum yield of PL was ca. 80%. The novel photofunctional devices such as luminescent devises and solar cells could be fabricated by the immobilization of ZAIS particles on solid substrates.