A low-temperature route to InP nanocrystals

Nanocrystalline InP was prepared at temperatures of 80-160 °C through a novel route: 4InCl 3 +12KBH 4 +P 4 → en 4InP. Mean crystallite dimensions of 11.3-20 nm were determined from X-ray powder diffraction. Transmission electron microscopy images showed that the products were 15-20 nm spherical grains when prepared at 120 °C and 150×1500 nm rod-like grains at 160 °C. The reaction proceeds through a metallic indium intermediate and a solution-liquid-solid mechanism is proposed for the one-dimensional growth. The products were also investigated by UV/vis absorption, photoluminescence, Fourier-transform IR, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.