I-III-VI core/shell QDs: Synthesis, characterizations and applications

Colloidal semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) have proven to be ideal candidates for low cost and high performance applications. From the past few decades, I-III-IV QDs have gained tremendous interest. In comparison to binary II-VI or IV-VI QDs, these ternary QDs are less toxic, cadmium free, eco-friendly, possess excellent optical properties like II-VI QDs and exhibit high performance. The optical and electronic properties are tunable and have emission in near infrared region. Due to these properties, they are useful in wide range of applications like photoelectric detectors, solar cells, light emitting diode (LEDs) and in bioimaging. To increase the functionality, stability, and dispersibility the I-III-IV core QDs have been coated by choosing a suitable shell. In this review, we focus on various synthetic strategies, optical properties, surface modification and the applications of core/ shell QDs. Finally, the review ends with the challenges and future perspectives of these I-III-IV core/shell QDs.