Pressure-Modulated Interface Engineering toward Realizing Core@Shell Configuration Transition

The strained interface of core@shell nanocrystals (NCs) can effectively modulate the energy level alignment, thereby significantly affecting the optical properties. Herein, the unique photoluminescence (PL) response of doped Mn ions is introduced as a robust probe to detect the targeted pressure-strain relation of CdS@ZnS NCs. Results show that the core experiences actually less pressure than the applied external pressure, attributed to the pressure-induced optimized interface that reduces the compressive strain on core. The pressure difference between core and shell increases the conduction band and valence band offsets and further achieves the core@shell configuration transition from quasi type II to type I. Accordingly, the PL intensity of CdS@ZnS NCs slightly increases, along with a faster blue-shift rate of PL peak under low pressure. This study elucidates the interplay between external physical pressure and interfacial chemical stress for core@shell NCs, leading to precise construction of interface engineering for practical applications.