Project Grant 2505491

This $482,663 Project Grant, awarded by the National Science Foundation's (NSF) Division of Chemistry under the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Federal Grant Program (CFDA 47.049), supports the development of generalizable methodologies for the precision synthesis of II-VI semiconductor nanoclusters with atomic-level control over their sizes, shapes, surfaces, and compositions. Led by Professor Chenjie Zeng at the University of Florida, the research aims to expand the library of atomically precise nanoclusters, which can serve as model systems for understanding the structure-property relationships of semiconductor nanomaterials. The project's three key objectives are: 1) controlling the surface structures of II-VI clusters by tailoring metal-ligand complexes, 2) tuning the core sizes and shapes of II-VI clusters by adjusting metal-chalcogenide template clusters, and 3) exploring pathways for homovalent cation exchange to achieve atomically defined heterostructures. This fundamental understanding is expected to facilitate the rational control of semiconductor nanocluster properties for emerging optical, electronic, and spin-based applications. The award period is from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2028.