CdI2nanoparticles with closed-cage (fullerene-like) structures

Abstract

It was shown previously that nanoparticles of layered compounds form closed-cage and nanotubular structures. These nanostructures received the generic name of inorganic fullerene-like (IF) materials. In particular nanoparticles of metal dihalides, like NiCl₂ and CdCl₂, were shown to form such closed-cage structures in the past. In the present report faceted IF-CdI₂ nanoparticles encapsulating a Cd core are reported. These nanoparticles were obtained using electron beam irradiation of the source powder of CdI₂. The faceted nanoparticles exhibit one of two morphologies: hexagonal or elongated rectangular characters. The nanoparticles can be considered as core (Cd)–shell (CdI₂) nanostructures. Consistent with previous observations, this study shows that the seamless structure of the IF materials can stabilize phases, which are otherwise unstable under the electron-beam irradiation. The growth mechanism of these nanostructures is briefly discussed.