Tunable emission of cadmium-free transition metal (Cu, Mn, Ag) co-doped ZnInS/ZnS core-shell quantum dots

Color tunable quantum dots (QDs) based on the Cu, Mn, Ag co-doped ZnInS core and ZnS outer-shell were synthesized by using an eco-friendly method. Core-shell doped QDs with the average size of 3.85 nm were obtained by using a one-pot synthesis followed by a hot injection with n -dodecanethiol (DDT) and oleylamine (OLA) as stabilizers in oil phase. Cu, Mn and Ag ions were introduced as single-dopant or co-dopants during the synthesis, providing an effective means to control the emission color of the QDs. The as-synthesized QDs showed photoluminescence emission ranging from green (530 nm) to near-red (613 nm), adjusted by doping components, dopant concentration, and Zn/In ratio. Importantly, quasi-white emission has been achieved by controlling the concentration of co-doped metal ions (Mn, Cu and Ag). The primary results demonstrated the promising potential of co-doped QDs as alternative materials for future high quality white LED applications.