title: Direct conversion of bulk metals to size-tailored, monodisperse spherical non-coinage-metal nanocrystals.
abstract: Monodisperse non-noble metal nanocrystals (NCs) that are highly uniform in shapes and particle size are much desired in various advanced applications, and are commonly prepared by either thermal decomposition or reduction, where reactive organometallic precursors or/and strong reducing agents are mandatory; however, these are usually toxic, costly, or suffer a lack of availability. Bulk Group 12 metals can now be converted into ligand-protected, highly crystalline, monodisperse spherical metal NCs with precisely controlled sizes without using any precursors and reducers. The method is based on low-power NIR-laser-induced size-selective layer-by-layer surface vaporization. The monodisperse Cd NCs show pronounced deep-UV (DUV) localized surface plasmon resonance making them highly competitive DUV-plasmonic materials. This approach will promote appreciably the emergence of a wide range of monodisperse technically important non-coinage metal NCs with compelling functionalities.
authors.affiliation: Institute of New-Energy Materials, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Composite and Functional Materials, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, 92 Weijin Road, Nankai District, Tianjin 300072 (China).
authors.forename: Rui-Chun
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Xi-Wen
authors.initials: XW
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Jing
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yang
keywords: laser irradiation; metal nanocrystals; monodisperse materials; plasmon resonance