title: InP/ZnS nanocrystals: coupling NMR and XPS for fine surface and interface description.
abstract: Advanced (1)H, (13)C, and (31)P solution- and solid-state NMR studies combined with XPS were used to probe, at the molecular scale, the composition (of the core, the shell, and the interface) and the surface chemistry of InP/ZnS core/shell quantum dots prepared via a non-coordinating solvent strategy. The interface between the mismatched InP and ZnS phases is composed of an amorphous mixed oxide phase incorporating InPO(x) (with x = 3 and predominantly 4), In(2)O(3), and InO(y)(OH)(3-2y) (y = 0, 1). Thanks to the analysis of the underlying reaction mechanisms, we demonstrate that the oxidation of the upper part of the InP core is the consequence of oxidative conditions brought by decarboxylative coupling reactions (ketonization). These reactions occur during both the core preparation and the coating process, but according to different mechanisms.
authors.affiliation: Université de Toulouse; INSA, UPS, CNRS; LPCNO (Laboratoire de Physique et Chimie des Nano-Objets), 135 avenue de Rangueil, F-31077 Toulouse, France.
authors.forename: Héloïse
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Virieux
authors.forename: Marianne
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Le Troedec
authors.forename: Arnaud
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cros-Gagneux
authors.forename: Wilfried-Solo
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Ojo
authors.forename: Fabien
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Delpech
authors.forename: Céline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nayral
authors.forename: Hervé
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Martinez
authors.forename: Bruno
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chaudret