Mechanistic insight into copper cation exchange in cadmium selenide semiconductor nanocrystals using X-ray absorption spectroscopy

Abstract

There currently exists some debate as to exact mechanism of cation exchange in semiconductor nanocrystals, a crucial question regarding the fundamental materials chemistry of these systems. Here, the authors report a detailed investigation of the mechanism of cation exchange in nanocrystals, which unambiguously shows evidence of interstitial intermediates during the exchange process.