Size-controlled Synthesis of Colloidal InSb Nanocubes

Indium antimonide (InSb) is an attracting III-V semiconductor because of intriguing optical and electronic properties and high potential in variety of optoelectronic applications.^1-2 However, a colloidal synthesis of InSb nanocrystals (NCs) has been rarely reported because of unfavorable thermodynamics in a solution phase and lack of appropriate precursors. Here, the present work demonstrates the size-controlled synthesis of InSb nanocubes in a solution phase by reacting commercial triphenylantimony as a Sb precursor with indium chloride as a In source in the presence of 1,2-dodecanediol at high temperature (245-300 ^oC). This commercial Sb compound exhibits several advantages such as low cost, easy to handling, and good stability under ambient conditions, compared with previous Sb sources. The introduction of reducing agent is crucial to obtain reasonable nucleation and growth kinetics for the formation of colloidal InSb NCs. Moreover, adjusting the reaction conditions such as the reaction temperature and ligands provides the size and shape control. This synthetic route may provide deep knowledge for tailoring III-V semiconductor NCs with optimum properties.

References

1. Liu, W.; Chang, A. Y.; Schaller, R. D.; Talapin, D. V. Colloidal InSb Nanocrystals. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2012, 134, 20258-20261.
2. Yarema, M.; Kovalenko, M. V. Colloidal Synthesis of InSb Nanocrystals with Controlled Polymorphism Using Indium and Antimony Amides. Chem. Mater. 2013, 25, 1788-1792.