A single source approach to the synthesis of CdSe nanocrystallites

Synthetic routes to semiconductor nanocrystallites have become of particular interest since nanoparticle devices have been constructed. The route reported here for CdSe uses a single source in tri-n-octylphosphine oxide instead of the hazardous metal alkyls conventionally employed. The characterization of the nanocrystallites (see figure) shows that they are crystalline, approximately spherical, and close to monodispersed.