Synthesis of CdSe quantum dots with luminescence in the violet region of the solar spectrum.

We have designed a simple, one-step synthesis of CdSe quantum dots with photoluminescence frequencies ranging from the red through to the violet region of the solar spectrum. The photoluminescence peaks have FWHM of 30 nm indicating absorption over a narrow range of wavelengths. The effect of solvent type and solvent boiling point on the physical and photoluminescence properties of the quantum dots has been studied. High boiling point, non-polar solvents shift the photoluminescence peak to longer wavelengths and low boiling point, polar solvents shift the photoluminescence peak to shorter wavelengths.