Synthesis and characterisation of CdSe QDs by using a chemical solution route

Abstract

An efficient synthesis process approach based on a chemical solution route is developed for the cadmium selenide quantum dots (CdSe QDs) that utilise photonic and optoelectronic device manufacturing. The developed route consists of dissolving the cadmium chloride (CdCl2.H2O), 2-mercaptoethanol and sodium selenide anhydrous (Na2SeO3). The different characterisation parameters such as ultraviolet (UV) absorbance, x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive x-ray and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were employed in order to develop the CdSe QDs. When the sample was analysed from the UV–visible studies, the bandgap was about 2.16 eV, whereas the bulk CdSe bandgap was about 1.78 eV. The developed CdSe QDs possessed a cubic crystal structure with crystalline dimensions of about 4.86 nm. Its surface morphology and structure showed the smooth appearance of the surface. The result indicated agglomerated spheres. Ultimately, according to XRD and TEM results, the crystalline dimension was determined in good agreements. © The Institution of Engineering and Technology 2020