1
|
Bera S, Sahu P, Dutta A, Nobile C, Pradhan N, Cozzoli PD. Partial Chemicalization of Nanoscale Metals: An Intra-Material Transformative Approach for the Synthesis of Functional Colloidal Metal-Semiconductor Nanoheterostructures. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023:e2305985. [PMID: 37724799 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202305985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 09/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023]
Abstract
Heterostructuring colloidal nanocrystals into multicomponent modular constructs, where domains of distinct metal and semiconductor phases are interconnected through bonding interfaces, is a consolidated approach to advanced breeds of solution-processable hybrid nanomaterials capable of expressing richly tunable and even entirely novel physical-chemical properties and functionalities. To meet the challenges posed by the wet-chemical synthesis of metal-semiconductor nanoheterostructures and to overcome some intrinsic limitations of available protocols, innovative transformative routes, based on the paradigm of partial chemicalization, have recently been devised within the framework of the standard seeded-growth scheme. These techniques involve regiospecific replacement reactions on preformed nanocrystal substrates, thus holding great synthetic potential for programmable configurational diversification. This review article illustrates achievements so far made in the elaboration of metal-semiconductor nanoheterostructures with tailored arrangements of their component modules by means of conversion pathways that leverage on spatially controlled partial chemicalization of mono- and bi-metallic seeds. The advantages and limitations of these approaches are discussed within the context of the most plausible mechanisms underlying the evolution of the nanoheterostructures in liquid media. Representative physical-chemical properties and applications of chemicalization-derived metal-semiconductor nanoheterostructures are emphasized. Finally, prospects for developments in the field are outlined.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Suman Bera
- School of Materials Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Sciences (IACS), Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Puspanjali Sahu
- School of Materials Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Sciences (IACS), Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Anirban Dutta
- School of Materials Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Sciences (IACS), Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Concetta Nobile
- CNR NANOTEC - Institute of Nanotechnology, UOS di Lecce, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| | - Narayan Pradhan
- School of Materials Sciences, Indian Association for the Cultivation of Sciences (IACS), Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - P Davide Cozzoli
- Department of Mathematics and Physics "Ennio De Giorgi", University of Salento, Lecce, 73100, Italy
- UdR INSTM di Lecce, c/o Università del Salento, Lecce, 73100, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Seifner MS, Hu T, Snellman M, Jacobsson D, Deppert K, Messing ME, Dick KA. Insights into the Synthesis Mechanisms of Ag-Cu 3P-GaP Multicomponent Nanoparticles. ACS NANO 2023; 17:7674-7684. [PMID: 37017472 PMCID: PMC10134500 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c00140] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Metal-semiconductor nanoparticle heterostructures are exciting materials for photocatalytic applications. Phase and facet engineering are critical for designing highly efficient catalysts. Therefore, understanding processes occurring during the nanostructure synthesis is crucial to gain control over properties such as the surface and interface facets' orientations, morphology, and crystal structure. However, the characterization of nanostructures after the synthesis makes clarifying their formation mechanisms nontrivial and sometimes even impossible. In this study, we used an environmental transmission electron microscope with an integrated metal-organic chemical vapor deposition system to enlighten fundamental dynamic processes during the Ag-Cu3P-GaP nanoparticle synthesis using Ag-Cu3P seed particles. Our results reveal that the GaP phase nucleated at the Cu3P surface, and growth proceeded via a topotactic reaction involving counter-diffusion of Cu+ and Ga3+ cations. After the initial GaP growth steps, the Ag and Cu3P phases formed specific interfaces with the GaP growth front. GaP growth proceeded by a similar mechanism observed for the nucleation involving the diffusion of Cu atoms through/along the Ag phase toward other regions, followed by the redeposition of Cu3P at a specific Cu3P crystal facet, not in contact with the GaP phase. The Ag phase was essential for this process by acting as a medium enabling the efficient transport of Cu atoms away from and, simultaneously, Ga atoms toward the GaP-Cu3P interface. This study shows that enlightening fundamental processes is critical for progress in synthesizing phase- and facet-engineered multicomponent nanoparticles with tailored properties for specific applications, including catalysis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Michael S. Seifner
- Centre
for Analysis and Synthesis, Lund University, Box 124, 22100 Lund, Sweden
- NanoLund, Lund University, Box
118, 22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Tianyi Hu
- Centre
for Analysis and Synthesis, Lund University, Box 124, 22100 Lund, Sweden
- NanoLund, Lund University, Box
118, 22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Markus Snellman
- NanoLund, Lund University, Box
118, 22100 Lund, Sweden
- Solid
State Physics, Lund University, Box 118, 22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Daniel Jacobsson
- Centre
for Analysis and Synthesis, Lund University, Box 124, 22100 Lund, Sweden
- NanoLund, Lund University, Box
118, 22100 Lund, Sweden
- National
Center for High Resolution Electron Microscopy, Lund University, Box 124, 22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Knut Deppert
- NanoLund, Lund University, Box
118, 22100 Lund, Sweden
- Solid
State Physics, Lund University, Box 118, 22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Maria E. Messing
- NanoLund, Lund University, Box
118, 22100 Lund, Sweden
- Solid
State Physics, Lund University, Box 118, 22100 Lund, Sweden
| | - Kimberly A. Dick
- Centre
for Analysis and Synthesis, Lund University, Box 124, 22100 Lund, Sweden
- NanoLund, Lund University, Box
118, 22100 Lund, Sweden
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Rathod R, Santra PK. Probing Chemical-Composition-Induced Heterostructures and Interfaces in Lead Halide Perovskites. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2022; 38:12103-12117. [PMID: 36121436 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c01586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Lead halide perovskites (LHP) are of great interest for their optoelectronic properties and photovoltaic applications. Various heterostructures are created in these materials to achieve favorable optical properties and improved stability at the interfaces during the fabrication of devices. Such heterostructures are often assumed to be formed based on the reactivity of precursors and are not directly probed. In this Feature Article, we report how various strategies have been employed in LHP thin films and nanocrystals (NCs) that generate heterostructures to boost their stability and photovoltaic (PV) efficiencies and how variable energy photoelectron spectroscopy (VEPES) can probe the chemical composition variation in heterostructured materials and interfaces. We specifically discussed the internal heterostructures of LHP NCs generated due to the surface chemistry and postsynthesis anion exchange followed by a detailed discussion of the heterostructures induced by the chemical composition (anion, cation, and degradation) of LHP thin films. The difficulties in determining heterostructures as well as the potential scope of the application of VEPES in unwrapping heterostructures in diverse materials are also discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Radha Rathod
- Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Arkavathi, Bengaluru 562162, India
- Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Manipal 576104, India
| | - Pralay K Santra
- Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Arkavathi, Bengaluru 562162, India
| |
Collapse
|