Abstract
Complex pnictides such as I-II4-V3 compounds (I = alkali metal; II = divalent transition metal; V = pnictide element) display rich structural chemistry and interesting optoelectronic properties, but can be challenging to synthesize using traditional high-temperature solid-state synthesis. Soft chemistry methods can offer control over particle size, morphology, and properties. However, the synthesis of multinary pnictides from solution remains underdeveloped. Here, we report the colloidal hot-injection synthesis of ACd4P3 (A = Na, K) nanostructures from their alkali metal hydrides (AH). Control studies indicate that NaCd4P3 forms from monometallic Cd0 seeds and not from binary Cd3P2 nanocrystals. IR and ssNMR spectroscopy reveal tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) and related ligands are coordinated to the ternary surface. Computational studies show that competing phases with space group symmetries R3¯ m and Cm differ by only 30 meV/formula unit, indicating that synthetic access to either of these polymorphs is possible. Our synthesis unlocks a new family of nanoscale multinary pnictide materials that could find use in optoelectronic and energy conversion devices.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 130-139 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | ACS Materials Au |
Volume | 1 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 10 2021 |
Keywords
- I-II-V
- hydride
- nanostructures
- solution phase
- ternary semiconductor
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biomaterials
- Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
- Materials Chemistry
- Polymers and Plastics