A novel synthesis of indium phosphide nanoparticles

Abstract

Nanosized indium phosphide has been prepared by direct reaction of sodium phosphide and anhydrous indium trichloride in N,N′-dimethylformamide (DMF) at a temperature between 120 and 160 °C under argon atmosphere. This is the first report on the synthesis of indium phosphide at normal pressure by the use of sodium phosphide. The product was characterized by solution UV-visible measurement, photoluminescence (PL) study and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD). Solution absorption measurements indicate a blue shift of about 400 nm when compared with bulk indium phosphide, and an air-stable blue-green light emission has been observed with λ(em.) at 462 and 550 nm, depending upon the reaction conditions. Powder X-ray measurements showed a broad pattern that match well with the amorphous nature of indium phosphide. © 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.