Synthesis of curved CuIn1-xGax(S1-ySey)2 nanocrystals and complete characterization of their diffraction contrast effects

Herein, we report the synthesis and complete structural characterization of curved CuIn1–xGax(S1–ySey)2 (x = y = 0.5) nanocrystals, which adopt a two-dimensional (2D) nanoplate morphology and crystallize in the hexagonal wurtzite phase. A detailed transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis reveals that the 2D nanoplates are predominately [001]-oriented and exhibit a unique bend contour pattern, because of curvature on the (001) basal plane. The contrast behavior of bend contours in this system is further supported through specimen-tilting experiments inside TEM, in combination with dark-field imaging in both TEM and scanning TEM modes. This bending is believed to originate from the proximity effect of the top and bottom (001) surfaces.