ZnO Nanoplatelets with Controlled Thickness: Atomic Insight into Facet‐Specific Bimodal Ligand Binding Using DNP NMR. (11th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Terlecki, Michał; Badoni, Saumya; Leszczyński, Michał K.; Gierlotka, Stanisław; Justyniak, Iwona; Okuno, Hanako; Wolska‐Pietkiewicz, Małgorzata; Lee, Daniel; De Paëpe, Gaël; Lewiński, Janusz
• Is Part Of: Advanced functional materials. Volume 31:Number 49(2021)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2021-08-11
• Subjects: colloidal nanoplatelets -- dynamic nuclear polarization -- nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy -- surface chemistry -- zinc oxide; Materials -- Periodicals; Chemical vapor deposition -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1002/adfm.202105318
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1616-301X

Abstract

Abstract: Colloidal nanoplatelets (NPLs) and nanosheets with controlled thickness have recently emerged as an exciting new class of quantum‐sized nanomaterials with substantially distinct optical properties compared to 0D quantum dots. Zn‐based NPLs are an attractive heavy‐metal‐free alternative to the so far most widespread cadmium chalcogenide colloidal 2D semiconductor nanostructures, but their synthesis remains challenging to achieve. The authors describe herein, to the best of their knowledge, the first synthesis of highly stable ZnO NPLs with the atomically precise thickness, which for the smallest NPLs is 3.2 nm (corresponding to 12 ZnO layers). Furthermore, by means of dynamic nuclear polarization‐enhanced solid‐state 15 N NMR, the original role of the benzamidine ligands in stabilizing the surface of these nanomaterials is revealed, which can bind to both the polar and non‐polar ZnO facets, acting either as X‐ or L‐type ligands, respectively. This bimodal stabilization allows obtaining hexagonal NPLs for which the surface energy of the facets is modulated by the presence of the ligands. Thus, in‐depth study of the interactions at the organic–inorganic interfaces provides a deeper understanding of the ligand–surface interface and should facilitate the future chemistry of stable‐by‐design nano‐objects. Abstract : The authors describe herein, the first synthesis of highly stable hexagonal ZnO nanoplatelets with the atomically precise thickness, and by means of dynamic nuclear polarization‐enhanced solid‐state 15 N NMR, the original bimodal stabilization of the ZnO surface is revealed by the benzamidine ligands, which can bind to both the polar and non‐polar facets, acting either as X‐ or L‐type ligands, respectively.