Selenium/zeolite Y nanocomposites

Confinement in molecular sieves is a promising strategy for fabricating nanostructured semiconductor assemblies with a highly uniform size and shape distribution. However, disorder effects often hamper the engineering of matrix-embedded cluster materials with specific properties. The host-guest interaction is a key factor for optimizing their structure, electronic characteristics, and stability. In this Account, we describe how the interplay between confined selenium and extra framework cations in zeolite hosts can be used to tailor these properties and to produce well-defined semiconductor nanocomposites with band gaps in the visible range.