Green synthesis of silver indium telluride nanocrystals: characterization and photothermal analyses

Here, we report the preparation and characterization of stable AgIn5Te8 (AITe) nanocrystals (NCs) and their respective AITe-ZnS and AITe-ZnSe alloys. A green route of synthesis is described by using an aqueous electrochemical method in a cavity cell. The elemental ratio modulation of the NCs was investigated to determine the ideal improvement of the structural and electronic properties. The AITe NCs presented an emission band at 889 nm and hypsochromic shifts when coated with ZnS and ZnSe seeds. Photothermal analyses point to theranostic applications.

Automated summary

This study reports the preparation and characterization of stable AITe nanocrystals and their alloys, synthesized through a green route using an aqueous electrochemical method. Investigation on elemental ratio modulation was conducted to determine the optimal improvement of structural and electronic properties. AITe nanocrystals exhibited emission bands at 889 nm and hypsochromic shifts when coated with ZnS and ZnSe seeds, suggesting potential theranostic applications through photothermal analyses.