Janus to Core-Shell to Janus: Facile Cation Movement in Cu2-xS/Ag2S Hexagonal Nanoplates Induced by Surface Strain Control

Nanocrystals with multiple compositions and hetero-interfaces have received a great attention due to promising multifunctional and synergistic physicochemical properties. In particular, hetero-interfaces have been at the focal point of nanocatalyst research because the strain caused by lattice mismatches between different phases is the dominant determinant of surface energy and catalytic activity. The ensemble effects of different materials phases have also contributed to the interest in hetero-interfaced multicomponent materials. Until now, hetero-interfaces have largely been regarded as static and the dynamic movement of components within the multicomponent material phases has received little attention, although the dynamic movement of individual components within multicomponent materials can revise the interpretation of the catalytic behaviors of these materials and lead to fascinating opportunities for nanostructure synthesis. In this study, we demonstrate unprecedented cation migrations within a sulf...