New solvothermal routes for GaN nanocrystals

GaN nanocrystals (see Figure) of hexagonal structure and varying diameters have been prepared by the reaction of hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS) with gallium cupferron or GaCl3 under solvothermal conditions. The nanocrystals show a size-dependent photoluminescence band in the 260-320 nm region, characteristic of quantum confinement.