Self-limiting surface oxidation of II-VI Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Nanostructures

Contrary to the common experience that organic-inorganic hybrid materials, such as hybrid halide perovskites, exhibit poor low-term stability, some II-VI based hybrids show no apparent degradation over 15 years unprotected in air [1,2]. We investigate the surface properties of aged and new ZnTe(en)_0.5, using Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) and Raman spectroscopy. We elucidate the surface layer composition and quantify the thickness of the oxidation layer. Notably, our investigation unveils the presence of a thin but dense oxidation layer on the surface of these hybrid materials. The remarkable finding is that this oxidation layer, while thin, effectively shields the underlying material from degradation, explaining the extraordinary long-term stability. Our research significantly enhances our understanding of the properties of II-VI organic-inorganic hybrid nanostructures, providing valuable insights into their surface chemistry and structural robustness. These insights carry implications for practical applications, underlining the potential for harnessing these materials in real-world electronic devices and beyond.

[1] Tang et al., ACS Nano 15, 10565 (2021); [2] Tang et al., Small, doi.org/10.1002/smll.202302935