Aminophosphine-based continuous liquid-phase synthesis of InP and InP/ZnS quantum dots in a customized tubular flow reactor

We present a new platform with a customized flow reactor for the continuous synthesis of InP-based quantum dots (QDs) using greener aminophosphine as phosphorus precursor instead of tris(trimethylsilyl)phosphine. With the benefit of a compact reactor configuration (approx. 30 x 25 x 25 cm(3)) and a premixed precursor solution, InP QDs were successfully synthesized with tunable sizes from 2.7 nm to 3.4 nm and narrow particle size distribution (PSD) with relative standard deviation (RSD) down to 7.7%. In addition, as a proof of principle, InP/ZnS core/shell QDs were also successfully synthesized. Without optimization of the synthesis protocol, a photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 30.9% was achieved.

Automated summary

We propose a new platform for the continuous synthesis of InP-based quantum dots (QDs) using a greener aminophosphine as the phosphorus precursor. The compact reactor configuration and premixed precursor solution allow for the successful synthesis of InP QDs with tunable sizes and narrow particle size distribution. Additionally, InP/ZnS core/shell QDs were also synthesized, achieving a photoluminescence quantum yield of 30.9% without optimization of the synthesis protocol.