journal article·2025-08

Low‐Temperature Alloying Mechanism in Magic Size Clusters: A Pathway toward Alloy Nanocrystal Synthesis

Xinke Kong, Lin Ru, Yuelin Yang, Xufeng Chen, Zhixin Wei, Jianrong Zeng, Yuanyuan Wang

Small· Volume 21· Issue 31
Publisher page

Abstract

Abstract The non‐classical nucleation process achieves controlled growth of nanomaterials at low temperatures by reducing energy barriers in stages. However, the synthesis of alloys remains challenging due to thermodynamic limitations and the unclear critical steps in the nonclassical nucleation process, often resulting in insufficient reaction driving forces and difficulties in compositional control. In this study, a covalent inorganic complex (CIC)‐mediated alloying mechanism is proposed, which enables precise bonding control through ion‐exchange reactions in the pre‐nucleation stage at room temperature. The process involves the formation of CICs (Step 1), the regulation of alloy CICs (Step 2), and the directional assembly of alloyed CICs (Step 3). Step 2 plays a pivotal role as the composition‐determining step, which results in the successful modulation of a series of binary‐cation (ZnCdSe), binary‐anion (CdSeS), and quaternary (ZnCdSeS) alloy CICs. Step 3 governs the size and morphology of the final alloy materials, facilitating the directed assembly of diverse alloy clusters (MSCs), quantum dots (QDs), and nanoplatelets (NPLs). This work not only advances the understanding of nonclassical nucleation processes but also offers a universal regulation strategy for alloy materials, providing a powerful tool for next‐generation semiconductor design.
Source: crossref · Quality: baseline

Research context

OpenAlex topics: Quantum Dots Synthesis And Properties · Nanocluster Synthesis and Applications · Copper-based nanomaterials and applications

SciVX discovery tags are terminology-based. OpenAlex topics are source-provided classifications.

Affiliations

State Key Laboratory of Coordination Chemistry School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Nanjing University Nanjing 210023 P. R. China

Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility Shanghai Advanced Research Institute Chinese Academy of Sciences Shanghai 201204 P. R. China

School of Physical Science and Technology ShanghaiTech University Shanghai 201210 P. R. China

Funding

National Key Research and Development Program of China · National Natural Science Foundation of China

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