We report the use of compounds formed on the surface of nanocrystals as markers to effectively monitor the shape evolution during nanocrystal growth. By labelling the corners and edges of cubic Pd seeds with PdS through sulfuration, we obtain clear insight into their shape transition to octahedra. This work significantly expands the scope of the marker technique for studying nanoparticle shape ...

Quaternary tetragonal Cu(2)FeSnS(4) nanocrystals have been synthesized by a simple hot-injection method. Detailed characterizations have been made. A suitable optical band gap of 1.28 ± 0.02 eV and a notable and stable photoelectrochemical response indicate their potential for application in solar cells.

In this communication, we report our recent achievement in synthesis and self-assembly of both spherical and cubic PbTe nanocrystals using a high-temperature solution-phase synthesis approach. The possible mechanism of nanocrystalline evolution from spherical to cubic structure has also been discussed. It is possible to use the highly orientated PbTe nanocrystals as building blocks to achieve t...

In this communication, we report a successful synthesis of quasi-monodisperse In2O3 nanocrystals with high crystallinity in a high-temperature organic solution. The average size of nanocrystals can be tuned using a dynamic injection technique. TEM and XRD investigations indicate that each nanocrystal is a single crystal. The optical determination implies that the photoluminescence behavior of t...

In this Letter, we report the pioneering use of free electron laser radiation for the investigation of periodic crystalline structures. The diffraction properties of silver behenate single nanocrystals (5.8 nm periodicity) with the dimensions of 20 nm x 20 nm x 20 microm and as powder with grain sizes smaller than 200 nm were investigated with 8 nm free electron laser radiation in single-shot m...

When 300 kV cryo-EM images at Scherzer focus are acquired from ∼ 100 nm thick three-dimensional protein nanocrystals using a Falcon 2 direct electron detector, Fourier transformation can reveal the crystalline lattice to surprisingly high resolutions, even though the images themselves seem to be devoid of any contrast. Here, it is reported how this lattice information can be enhanced by means o...