Anion-Directed Synthesis of Core–Shell and Janus Hybrid Nanostructures

Abstract

Hybrid nanoparticles show considerable promise with potential applications ranging across catalysis (including photocatalysis), energy conversion, and storage. A generalized synthetic procedure for hybrid nanoparticles is presented. The method offers the flexibility to drive the products toward different hybrid nanostructure morphologies merely via a change in the metal anion, under otherwise identical experimental conditions. Both Ag@CZTS (CZTS = Cu2ZnSnS4) core–shell nanoparticles and Ag2S-CZTS Janus nanoparticles, along with PbS and Au/AuAg hybrid analogues, are synthesized using this methodology, highlighting its versatility and translatability across different materials. The nucleation of the semiconductor is the critical determining step for the synthesis of a given hybrid product. Insight into the mechanism of growth for these two morphologies paves the way for the rational and generalized synthesis of hybrid nanoparticles.