Synthesis of Ferroelectric Semiconductor Nanocrystals via Cation Exchange

Abstract

The introduction of ferroelectric properties in quantum dots through cation exchange multiplies their already ever-growing list of applications, elevating their utility in industry. We report the appearance of ferroelectric behavior arising from a room-temperature cation exchange on various zinc blende semiconductor nanocrystals. This cation exchange synthesis also allows for control over ferroelectric polarization as well as shape, size, and composition of ferroelectric nanoparticles. Variations in the cation exchange reaction were made in order to optimize saturation and remnant polarization, nanoparticle stability and crystal structure retention, along with fluorescence retention. Finally, we synthesized non-toxic, ferroelectric semiconductor nanoparticles using similar methods to the previously synthesized cadmium-based ferroelectric quantum dots in order to allow for the use of these nanomaterials in industrial settings.