Optimization and synthesis approaches of semiconductor nanoparticles of crystalline CdSe using Taguchi method

CdSe nanoparticles has become a very interesting advanced material for electronics devices, given their excellent optical and electrical behaviors, arising from the reduction of their size. Optical and electrical performances of CdSe in electronic devices, as well as, their crystalline structure are crucial and strongly linked to the control of synthesis parameters. In this sense, Taguchi method is an excellent tool for the design of robust process focus on selective synthesis of materials, allowing modulate their characteristics and properties through analysis of variance, estimations of main effect, and optimization. In the present work, optimization and synthesis approach of nanoparticles of crystalline CdSe, using solution growth and Taguchi method, is proposed. Synthesized samples according to an L9 Taguchi experimental design were analyzed to determine their microstructural, chemical, and optical properties by FESEM/EDS, XRD, and UV–Vis spectroscopy techniques. Result analysis indicates that cadmium/ligand ratio has the highest contribution on the formation of crystalline CdSe nanoparticles, followed by precursors/buffer ratio, time, and temperature. Besides, optimal processing conditions were stablished, as follow: cadmium/ligand ratio of 5:6, precursors/buffer ratio of 2.5:1, 333.15 K, and 60 min. Under optimal conditions, uniform nanoparticles of crystalline CdSe (Sphalerite) with an average particle size of ≈ 100 nm, crystallite size of 2.39 nm, and optical band gap of 2.10 ± 0.04 eV, were obtained. Nanoparticles of crystalline CdSe with the aforementioned characteristics can find potential application in the development of optoelectronic devices, such as: solar cells, lasers, and sensors.