Prepare core–multishell CdSe/ZnS nanocrystals with pure color and controlled emission by tri-n-octylphosphine-assisted method

Graphical abstract: The core–multishell CdSe/ZnS QDs synthesized by the TOP-assisted SILAR method represent pure color, high luminescence and controlled emission wavelength, which can be continuously tuned by simply varying the emission of the core nanocrystals. - Highlights: • The prepared core–multishell QDs have pure color emission (FWHM, <25 nm) even after coating with 3-monolayer ZnS. • The emission wavelength can be continuously adjusted by simply varying the ODA:Cd ratio for preparing the core nanocrystals. • The CdSe/ZnS QDs still have good optical properties synthesized at 30 multi scales. • The knowledge gained in this study enabled us to better understand the mechanism of TOP-assisted method. - Abstract: Core–multishell semiconductor nanocrystals have great potential in light emitting devices (LEDs) display, fluorescent biomarkers and luminescent solar concentrators. However, their applications are strongly limited due to the wide full-width at half-maximum (FWHM), inaccurate controllable emission wavelength, and decreased quantum yield as the shell coverage growth. So there still remains a great challenge for improving the photoluminescence properties of core–multishell quantum dots. In this work, tri-n-octylphosphine (TOP) assisted method was used to prepare CdSe/ZnS QDs with narrow FWHM and controlled emission wavelength, the influence of experimental conditions on the photoluminescent properties of the core–multishell QDs were investigated. The experimental results indicated this is an effective method to prepare core–multishell QDs with pure color emission (FWHM value is smaller than 25 nm after coating with 3 monolayers of ZnS), accurately controlled emission and high QY (>95%). This is the smallest FWHM for core–multishell QDs. The emission wavelength of the as-prepared core–multishell QDs can be continuously tuned by simply varying the emission of the core nanocrystals. Furthermore, the knowledge gained in this study enabled us to better understand the mechanism of TOP-assisted method and provide a promise way for light emitting diodes-backlit display with high color saturation.