Herein
we report the generation of synchronous tricolor emission
for a single wavelength excitation from a quantum dot complex (QDC).
The single-component QDC was formed out of a complexation reaction,
at room temperature, between ligand-free Mn2+-doped ZnS
quantum dots (Qdots) and a mixture of two organic ligands (acetylsalicylic
acid and 8-hydroxyquinoline). Furthermore, the tunability in chromaticity
color coordinates, which is important for solid-state lighting, was
achieved following the synthesis of QDC. Moreover, the photostable
QDC emitted white light (λex 320 nm) with (0.30,
0.33) and (0.32, 0.32) chromaticity color coordinates in the liquid
and the solid phases, respectively. Hence, the white light-emitting
QDC may be a superior material for light-emitting applications.