A low temperature cluster condensation approach to CdS nanocrystals: oxidative aggregation of [Cd10S4Br4(SR)12] 4– with sulfur

The cluster salt [N(C2H5)4]4[Cd10S4Br4(Sp-Tol)12] reacts with six equivalents of sulfur in dimethylformamide at 140 °C to produce polycrystalline (wurtzite type) CdS nanoparticles of 5.8 nm mean diameter, which on their surface are ligated with ptolylthiolate ligands, dimethylformamide and water; UV/vis, PL, 1H- and 113Cd-NMR spectra recorded during various stages of the synthesis indicate that the CdS nanoparticles are formed by a cluster condensation process.