A method is provided for preparing luminescent semiconductor nanoparticles
composed of a first component X, a second component A, and a third
component B, wherein X, A, and B are different, by combining B with X and
A in an amount such that the molar ratio B:(A+B) is in the range of
approximately 0.001 to 0.20 and the molar ratio X:(A+B) is in the range
of approximately 0.5:1.0 to 2:1. The characteristics of the thus-prepared
nanoparticles can be substantially similar to those of nanoparticles
containing only X and B while maintaining many useful properties
characteristic of nanoparticles containing only X and A. The
nanoparticles so prepared can additionally exhibit emergent properties
such as a peak emission energy less than that characteristic of a
particle composed of XA or XB alone; this method is particularly
applicable to the preparation of stable, bright nanoparticles that emit
in the red to infrared regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Luminescent semiconductor nanoparticles having exemplary properties are
also provided.