Optical and X-ray Spectroscopy Reveals Evolution Toward Mature CdSe Nanoplatelets by Synergetic Action of Myristate and Acetate Ligands

The growth of two-dimensional platelets of the CdX family (X = S, Se, or Te) in an organic solvent requires the presence of both long- and short-chain ligands. This results in nanoplatelets of atomically precise thickness and long-chain ligand-stabilized Cd top and bottom surfaces. The platelets show a bright and spectrally pure luminescence. Despite the enormous interest in CdX platelets for optoelectronics, the growth mechanism is not fully understood. Riedinger studied the reaction without a solvent and showed the favorable role for short-chain carboxylates for growth in two dimensions. Their model, based on the total energy of island nucleation, shows favored side facet growth growth on the top and bottom surfaces. However, several aspects of the synthesis under realistic conditions are not yet understood: Why are both short- and long-chain ligands required to obtain platelets? Why does the synthesis result in both isotropic nanocrystals and platelets? At which stage of the reaction is there bifurcation between isotropic and 2D growth? Here, we report an study of the CdSe nanoplatelet reaction under practical synthesis conditions. We show that without short-chain ligands, both isotropic and mini-nanoplatelets form in the early stage of the process. However, most remaining precursors are consumed in isotropic growth. Addition of acetate induces a dramatic shift toward nearly exclusive 2D growth of already existing mini-nanoplatelets. Hence, although myristate stabilizes mini-nanoplatelets, mature nanoplatelets only grow by a subtle interplay between myristate and acetate, the latter catalyzes fast lateral growth of the side facets of the mini-nanoplatelets.