title: Size-controlled synthesis of ZnO quantum dots in microreactors.
abstract: In this paper, we report on a continuous-flow microreactor process to prepare ZnO quantum dots (QDs) with widely tunable particle size and photoluminescence emission wavelengths. X-ray diffraction, electron diffraction, UV-vis, photoluminescence and transmission electron microscopy measurements were used to characterize the synthesized ZnO QDs. By varying operating conditions (temperature, flow rate) or the capping ligand, ZnO QDs with diameters ranging from 3.6 to 5.2 nm and fluorescence maxima from 500 to 560 nm were prepared. Results obtained show that low reaction temperatures (20 or 35 °C), high flow rates and the use of propionic acid as a stabilizing agent are favorable for the production of ZnO QDs with high photoluminescence quantum yields (up to 30%).
authors.affiliation: Université de Lorraine, Laboratoire Réactions et Génie des Procédés (LRGP), UMR 7274, CNRS, 1 rue Grandville, BP 20451, F-54001 Nancy Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schejn
authors.forename: Mathieu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Frégnaux
authors.forename: Jean-Marc
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Commenge
authors.forename: Lavinia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Balan
authors.forename: Laurent
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Falk
authors.forename: Raphaël
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schneider