Kinetic molecular chemistry model for copper nanocrystal formation by in-situ synchrotron techniques

The nucleation of colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) remains poorly understood, limiting rational synthesis strategies. In copper (Cu) NCs, precursor redox chemistry strongly influences morphology and catalytic properties, yet the sequence from early redox reactions to prenucleation cluster formation is unresolved. We recently developed a thermodynamic molecular chemistry (MC) model that predicts nucleation barriers and NC shape selectivity, but experimental data is needed to capture kinetic factors and refine the model. Here, we propose to combine in situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) to track oxidation states and coordination environments during synthesis. These measurements will establish mechanistic links between prenucleation processes and final NC morphology, and establish a kinetic MC model.