TEM beam-induced generation of Zn nanocrystals from a polymer-encapsulated Zn(II) complex

Abstract

A novel Zn(II) complex viz., [Zn(phen)(DTT)] (1) where DTT = 4-methyl-1,2-benzenedithiolate and phen = 1,10-phenanthroline was synthesized and characterized. The X-ray crystal structure of 1 indicated its dimeric nature with a distorted square pyramidal geometry around Zn(II). 1 was encapsulated within triblock P123 polymer to develop the micelle ZnMS. Dynamic light scattering data indicated the self-assembly of 1 with P123 in an aqueous solution with a low-dispersity parameter (0.63 ± 0.02). ZnMs on TEM beam irradiation (200 keV) generated Zn nanocrystals of size 90–150 nm. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy data indicated the presence of Zn, S, and O in the nanocrystals. © 2024 Indian Chemical Society