Near-Infrared Emitting AgInS₂/ZnS Nanocrystals

Abstract

Near-infrared emitting AgInS2/ZnS nanocrystals were synthesized by carefully controlling the growth conditions in a Ag/In/Zn/S solution with less zinc relative to the other precursors. The role of having a smaller amount of zinc (8 atom %) was systematically investigated in an effort to understand the mechanism of the largely red-shifted emission. The AgInS2/ZnS nanocrystals can be transferred to aqueous solutions while retaining the emission intensity. The near-infrared emission and solubility in aqueous solutions make AgInS2/ZnS nanocrystals excellent candidates for bioimaging and photocatalytic applications.