InP/ZnS quantum dot photoluminescence modulation HS interface engineering.

InP quantum dots (QDs) are attracting significant interest as a potentially less toxic alternative to Cd-based QDs in many research areas. Although InP-based core/shell QDs with excellent photoluminescence properties have been reported so far, sophisticated interface treatment to eliminate defects is often necessary. Herein, using aminophosphine as a seeding source of phosphorus, we find that HS can be efficiently generated from the reaction between a thiol and an alkylamine at high temperatures. Apart from general comprehension that HS acts as a S precursor, it is revealed that with core etching by HS, the interface between InP and ZnS can be reconstructed with S incorporation. Such a transition layer can reduce inherent defects at the interface, resulting in significant photoluminescence (PL) enhancement. Meanwhile, the size of the InP core could be further controlled by HS etching, which offers a feasible process to obtain wide band gap InP-based QDs with blue emission.