Versatile Tri(pyrazolyl)phosphanes as Phosphorus Precursors for the Synthesis of Highly Emitting InP/ZnS Quantum Dots

• Published in: Angewandte Chemie International Edition Vol. 56; no. 46; pp. 14737 - 14742
• Main Authors: Panzer, René, Guhrenz, Chris, Haubold, Danny, Hübner, René, Gaponik, Nikolai, Eychmüller, Alexander, Weigand, Jan J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 13-11-2017
• Edition: International ed. in English
• Subjects: hot injection; Light emitting diodes; oleylamine; Phosphorus; Photoluminescence; Photons; Precursors; Pyrazoles; Quantum dots; Synthesis; waste prevention; White light; Zinc sulfide; quantum dots; waste prevention; oleylamine; hot injection; phosphorus
• ISSN: 1433-7851; 1521-3773
• DOI: 10.1002/anie.201705650

Tri(pyrazolyl)phosphanes (5R1,R2) are utilized as an alternative, cheap and low‐toxic phosphorus source for the convenient synthesis of InP/ZnS quantum dots (QDs). From these precursors, remarkably long‐term stable stock solutions (>6 months) of P(OLA)3 (OLAH=oleylamine) are generated from which the respective pyrazoles are conveniently recovered. P(OLA)3 acts simultaneously as phosphorus source and reducing agent in the synthesis of highly emitting InP/ZnS core/shell QDs. These QDs are characterized by a spectral range between 530–620 nm and photoluminescence quantum yields (PL QYs) between 51–62 %. A proof‐of‐concept white light‐emitting diode (LED) applying the InP/ZnS QDs as a color‐conversion layer was built to demonstrate their applicability and processibility.
Taking stock: Tri(pyrazolyl)phosphanes are utilized as a less‐toxic P1 source for the synthesis of long‐term stable stock solutions of P(OLA)3 (OLAH=oleylamine). The stock solutions are used for the preparation of InP/ZnS quantum dots emitting in the spectral range between 530–620 nm with photoluminescence quantum yields between 51–62 %. The liberated pyrazoles can easily be recovered and reused.