Confined synthesis of CdSe quantum dots in the pores of metal-organic frameworks

Ultra-small CdSe nanoparticles (similar to 2 nm) were synthesised in the pores of a metal-organic framework, MIL-101(Al)-NH2, using a stepwise injection-reaction protocol. Electron microscopy measurements showed that the nanoparticles were densely packed due to the highly ordered pores of the MOF.