Publication
Title
Pyramid-shaped wurtzite CdSe nanocrystals with inverted polarity
Author
Abstract
We report on pyramid-shaped wurtzite cadmium selenide (CdSe) nanocrystals (NCs), synthesized by hot injection in the presence of chloride ions as shape-directing agents, exhibiting reversed crystal polarity compared to former reports. Advanced transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques (image-corrected high-resolution TEM with exit wave reconstruction and probe-corrected high-angle annular dark field-scanning TEM) unequivocally indicate that the triangular base of the pyramids is the polar (000 (1) over bar) facet and their apex points toward the [0001] direction. Density functional theory calculations, based on a simple model of binding of Cl- ions to surface Cd atoms, support the experimentally evident higher thermodynamic stability of the (000 (1) over bar) facet over the (0001) one conferred by Cl- ions. The relative stability of the two polar facets of wurtzite CdSe is reversed compared to previous experimental and computational studies on Cd chalcogenide NCs, in which no Cl-based chemicals were deliberately used in the synthesis or no Cl- ions were considered in the binding models. Self-assembly of these pyramids in a peculiar clover-like geometry, triggered by the addition of oleic acid, suggests that the basal (polar) facet has a density and perhaps type of ligands significantly different from the other three facets, since the pyramids interact with each other exclusively via their lateral facets. A superstructure, however with no long-range order, is observed for clovers with their (000 (1) over bar) facets roughly facing each other. The CdSe pyramids were also exploited as seeds for CdS pods growth, and the peculiar shape of the derived branched nanostructures clearly arises from the inverted polarity of the seeds.
Language
English
Source (journal)
ACS nano. - -
Publication
2015
ISSN
1936-0851
DOI
10.1021/ACSNANO.5B03636
Volume/pages
9 :8 (2015) , p. 8537-8546
ISI
000360323300085
Pubmed ID
26203791
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
TRANS-NANO: Advancing the Study of Chemical, Structural and Surface Transformations in Colloidal Nanocrystals
ESTEEM 2 - Enabling science and technology through European electron microscopy.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 05.10.2015
Last edited 09.10.2023
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