Observation of negative surface and interface energies of quantum dots.

ABSTRACT: Surface energy is a fundamental property of materials and is particularly important in describing nanomaterials where atoms or molecules at the surface constitute a large fraction of the material. Traditionally, surface energy is considered to be a positive quantity, where atoms or molecules at the surface are less thermodynamically stable than their counterparts in the interior of the material because they have fewer bonds or interactions at the surface. Using calorimetric methods, we show that the surface energy is negative in some prototypical colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals, or quantum dots with organic ligand coatings. This implies that the surface atoms are more thermodynamically stable than those on the interior due to the strong bonds between these atoms and surfactant molecul

SUBMITTER: Calvin JJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11067453 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature