Process for the synthesis of semiconductor nanocrystals

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a process for synthesis of metal sulfide semiconductor nanocrystals. The process includes mixing a metal precursor solution with a sulfur precursor solution at a temperature of no more than 200 °C to form a reaction solution. The metal precursor solution includes a metal compound dissolved in a solvent, and the sulfur precursor solution includes a sulfur compound dissolved in a solvent. The metal is present at a concentration of no more than about 1.2 mmol / mL, and the metal and sulfur are present at a S : M molar ratio of at least 1.5 : 1. The metal is lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) or cadmium (Cd). The sulfur compound is a volatile sulfur compound having a boiling point of up to 100°C and / or a low molecular weight sulfur compound having a molecular weight of up to 500 g / mol. Also disclosed are semiconductor nanocrystals made according to the process, a quantum dot solar cell incorporating the semiconductor nanocrystals, use of the semiconductor nanocrystals in a solar cell, and a method of preparing a quantum dot solar cell. Figure 1 to be published with the Abstract.