Synthetic approaches for growing zinc sulfide and zinc selenide colloidal nanocrystals

This review seeks to summarize what is known about the synthesis of colloidal ZnS and ZnSe nanocrystals. A variety of synthetic approaches will be discussed and compared to better understand how the size, shape, and crystal structure of these nanocrystals can be controlled. This review will discuss doped and undoped ZnS and ZnSe nanocrystal spheres and nanorods made using hot injection or heat-up methods. The use of solvent annealing and material diffusion to modify nanocrystal shapes after synthesis will also be discussed. The review will highlight the importance of determining the identities of the reacting species in a given synthesis as well as the role of solvents and ligands to better control the nucleation and growth of zinc chalcogenide nanocrystals.