Stable ZnSe quantum dots have been prepared by a wet chemical route. S
odium Hexameta Phosphate, an inorganic polymer, is used to encapsulate
the ZnSe quantum dots and to enhance the stability of quantum dots. X
-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopic analysis confirms the high purity of
ZnSe clusters. The optical absorption spectra exhibit a blue shift of
about 0.6 eV, suggesting the existence of quantum size effects. Room t
emperature photoluminescence measurements show a strong feature which
originates from the radiative recombination of the quantum confined el
ectron-hole pairs. (C) 1998 Acta Metallurgica Inc.