Effects of doping on the surface energies of nanocrystals and evidence from studies at high pressure

Zn1−XMnXS (X=0.85% and 1.26%) nanoparticles have been synthesized using a specially designed equipment and we have studied the influence of doping Mn2+ on the surface energy of ZnS. The high pressure behaviors of ZnS nanocrystals with different dopant contents have been investigated using angle-dispersive synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction up to 45.1 GPa. Theoretical calculations show that doping with Mn2+ increases the surface energy of the nanocrystals. The theoretical result has been further corroborated by our experimental observation of an increase in the phase transition pressure of Mn2+ doped ZnS nanocrystals in diamond-anvil-cell studies.