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. 2025 Oct 1;25(39):14310-14316.
doi: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c03311. Epub 2025 Sep 20.

Polytypic Zn-(In,Ga)-Se Nanocrystals with Tunable Emission

Zhaohong Sun  1 , Nina Baluyot-Reyes  1 , Karla Zamarripa  1   2 , Peter I Djurovich  1 , Mark E Thompson  1 , Richard L Brutchey  1
Affiliations

Polytypic Zn-(In,Ga)-Se Nanocrystals with Tunable Emission

Zhaohong Sun et al. Nano Lett. .

Abstract

While the polymorphism of chalcopyrite semiconductors has been widely studied, the wurtzite analogues of defect-chalcopyrite II-III2-VI4 compositions, such as Zn(In,Ga)2(S,Se)4, remain underexplored. Here, we report the synthesis of polytypic Zn-(In,Ga)-Se multipods via cation exchange using ZnSe as a template. With zinc-blende cores and wurtzite arms elongated along the hexagonal c-axis, the multipods retain the structure and morphology of the ZnSe template. Optical characterization reveals composition-dependent absorption and photoluminescence, tunable from the visible to the near-infrared region, with spectral features distinct from those of previously reported defect-chalcopyrite structures. Temperature-dependent measurements demonstrate strong emission at cryogenic temperatures, which is quenched near room temperature due to thermally activated nonradiative processes. We illustrate the use of ZnSe as a platform for cation exchange toward wurtzite multinary chalcogenides, unlocking access to novel structures with colorful optical properties.

Keywords: cation exchange; defect chalcopyrite; nanocrystals; photoluminescence; polytypism; wurtzite.

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