Synthesis, Structural and Optical Characterization of CdTeSe/ZnSe and CdTeSe/ZnTe Core/Shell Ternary Quantum Dots for Potential Application in Solar Cells

摘要

This work presents the results on the fabrication, structural and optical properties of CdTeSe/ZnTe and CdTeSe/ZnSe n monolayers (ML) (with n = 0,1,2,4 and 6 being the nominal shell monolayer thickness) ternary alloyed core/shell quantum dots (QDs). Transmission electron microscopy has been used to observe the shape and size of the QDs. These QDs crystallize at the zinc-blende phase. Raman scattering has been used to characterize the CdTeSe QDs' alloy composition in the fabrication and coating processes. The Raman spectrum of CdTeSe QDs, in the frequency range from 100 cm(-1) to 300 cm(-1), is a composite band with two peaks at 160 cm(-1) and 192 cm(-1). When the thickness of the ZnTe shell is 4 ML, the peak of the Raman spectrum only appears at 160 cm(-1). For the ZnSe 4 ML shell, the peak only appears at similar to 200 cm(-1). This shows that the nature of the CdTeSe QDs is either CdTe-rich or CdSe-rich depending on the shell of each sample. The shell thickness of 2 ML does not change the ternary core QDs' crystalline phase. The absorption and photoluminescence spectra show that the absorption and emission bands can be shifted to 900 nm, depending on each ternary alloyed QD core/shell sample. This near-infrared spectrum region is suitable for applications in solar cells.