A novel synthesis of indium phosphide nanoparticles

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 degreesC 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 lambda(em.) at 462 and 550 ntn, depending upon the reaction conditions. Powder X-ray measurements showed a broad pattern that match well with the amorphous nature indiurn phosphide. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.