Room Temperature Synthesis of Cubic Nanocrystalline CdSe in Aqueous Solution

Reaction of an alkaline selenium solution with an aqueous solution of cadmium complex produces cubic nanocrystalline CdSe with an average particle size of 5 nm at room temperature under atmospheric pressure. The product was characterized through XRD, TEM, and XPS. The alkaline selenium solution makes CdSe crystallize well in aqueous solution. The use of cadmium complex instead of cadmium ion as a reagent can greatly reduce the byproduct. Furthermore the synthesis is performed conveniently and safely.