Interplay between the shape anisotropy and optical properties of Cu- and Ag-based ternary and quaternary chalcogenide nanocrystals

The availability of nanomaterials with optical transitions in the near-infrared spectral range is of great importance for the development of solar cells and photodetectors, as well as for (bio)sensing and biolabelling. One attractive class of such materials comprises colloidal nanocrystals of ternary semiconductor materials, namely I–III–VI₂ compounds which eventually can be doped with Zn(II) to become quaternary (I–II–III–VI) compounds. Recently, anisotropic shapes of these nanocrystals have been reported, with some specific areas of potential applications related to anisotropy in their optical responses, such as chiroptical responses in absorption and emission. In this review, we summarize the state-of-the-art approaches for the synthesis of ternary and quaternary (Zn-doped) Cu- and Ag-based chalcogenide nanocrystals with a special focus on their anisotropic shapes (such as nanorods and nanowires). We consider their energy level structure and spectral characteristics, including chiroptical properties, and provide perspectives in a view of their potential applications. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2025