Synthesis of CuFeS2-xSex - alloyed nanocrystals with localized surface plasmon resonance in the visible spectral range

Alloying of CuFeS2 and CuFeSe2 nanocrystals leads to a new plasmonic nanomaterial in which the plasmon resonance is hypsochromically shifted by ca. 80 nm as compared to the case of CuFeS2, i. e. from 486 nm to 408 nm. Preparation of CuFeS2 xSex facilitates, in addition, the exchange of the hydrophobic ligands for hydrophilic ones, rendering the nanocrystals dispersible in nonpolar and polar ( aqueous) media.