Chemical weathering of molecular single crystals to monoliths of quantum dots.

ABSTRACT: In nature, nanocrystals form primarily through geological processes, such as chemical weathering of rocks and minerals. However, artificial systems that mechanistically parallel geological nanocrystal formation, particularly in the solid state, replicating the hydrolytic conditions of geological processes remain rare. Here, we report an all-solid-state strategy for the synthesis of quantum-sized semiconductor nanostructured materials under ambient conditions. The approach relies on a hydrolysable organozinc precursor, consisting of [RZn(amidate)]_n-type molecular clusters featuring reactive Zn-C and Zn-N bonds, confined within a single-crystal lattice prone to water-mediated hydrolytic processes. The initial millimetre-sized precursor crystals, when exposed to humid air, undergo

SUBMITTER: Borkenhagen A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12639177 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature