Fine-tuning the crystal structure of CdSe quantum dots by varying the dynamic characteristics of primary alkylamine ligands

Primary alkylamines are generally used as ligands for the synthesis of colloidal II-VI group quantum dots (QDs). However, knowledge of the effects of these ligands on the nanocrystalline structure in the literature is scarce and often contradictory. Herein, the structural evolution of CdSe QDs synthesized with primary alkylamines of different chain lengths and concentrations and at various reaction temperatures has been investigated. Absorption spectroscopy, XRD, HRTEM and Fourier transform imaging were applied to characterize the structure of the CdSe QDs. The results demonstrate that CdSe QDs preferentially form the wurtzite structure with shorter-chain and higher-concentration primary alkylamines at higher reaction temperatures. In contrast, the zinc blende structure is formed in the presence of longer-chain and lower-concentration primary alkylamines at lower reaction temperatures. By precisely controlling the experimental conditions, CdSe QDs with a pure zinc blende phase have been successfully achieved.