Improvement of dispersion stability and optical properties of CdSe/ZnSe structured quantum dots by polymer coating.

In this study, CdSe core and CdSe/ZnSe core/shell quantum dots with a narrow size distribution were synthesized in a micro-reactor. A PMMA coating applied to the surface of CdSe/ZnSe core/shell QDs to prevent degradation gave improved dispersion stability compared to the CdSe core and CdSe/ZnSe core/shell. Many previous approaches to dispersion stability have not been quantitatively assessed. The dispersion stability was confirmed by multiple light scattering measurement. Additionally, the PMMA-coated CdSe/ZnSe QDs showed greatly improved optical properties with a photoluminescence quantum yield up to 80%. This structural motif is expected to prevent the degradation of QDs.