Moisture-Induced Degradation of Quantum-Sized Semiconductor Nanocrystals through Amorphous Intermediates

Hyeonjong Ma, Sungsu Kang, Seunghan Lee, Gisang Park, Yuna Bae, Gyuri Park, Jihoon Kim, Shi Li, Hayeon Baek, Hyeongseung Kim, Jong Sung Yu, Hoonkyung Lee, Jungwon Park, Jiwoong Yang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Elucidating the water-induced degradation mechanism of quantum-sized semiconductor nanocrystals is an important prerequisite for their practical application because they are vulnerable to moisture compared to their bulk counterparts. In-situ liquid-phase transmission electron microscopy is a desired method for studying nanocrystal degradation, and it has recently gained technical advancement. Herein, the moisture-induced degradation of semiconductor nanocrystals is investigated using graphene double-liquid-layer cells that can control the initiation of reactions. Crystalline and noncrystalline domains of quantum-sized CdS nanorods are clearly distinguished during their decomposition with atomic-scale imaging capability of the developed liquid cells. The results reveal that the decomposition process is mediated by the involvement of the amorphous-phase formation, which is different from conventional nanocrystal etching. The reaction can proceed without the electron beam, suggesting that the amorphous-phase-mediated decomposition is induced by water. Our study discloses unexplored aspects of moisture-induced deformation pathways of semiconductor nanocrystals, involving amorphous intermediates.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)13734-13745
Number of pages12
JournalACS Nano
Volume17
Issue number14
DOIs
StatePublished - 25 Jul 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 American Chemical Society.

Keywords

  • amorphous intermediates
  • degradation mechanism
  • graphene double-liquid-layer cells
  • liquid-phase TEM
  • semiconductor nanocrystals

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