Synthesis of widely tunable and highly luminescent zinc nitride nanocrystals

Zinc nitride nanocrystals have been prepared from the reaction between ammonia and diethylzinc at 225 degrees C. The peak photoluminescence wavelength can be tuned from below 500 nm to above 1100 nm and photoluminescence quantum yields greater than 50% have been measured. TEM and XRD analysis confirm the formation of Zn3N2 nanocrystals.