Synthesis of In/InP core–shell nanospheres and their transformation into InP hollow nanospheres

Abstract Polycrystalline InP hollow nanospheres with an average size of 520 nm and shell thickness of about 110 nm were obtained by acid treatment of In/InP core–shell nanospheres which were solvothermally synthesized in ethanolamine–water binary solution at 180 °C. The sizes of InP hollow nanospheres increased with the increasing reactants quantities. Meanwhile the shell thicknesses of InP hollow nanospheres could be controlled by varying the quantity of yellow phosphorus. The process of In/InP core–shell nanospheres transforming into InP hollow nanospheres was also investigated. The InP products prepared in our experiments can emit blue light, which is different from previous reports and increases the potential application of InP nanomaterial.