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Time-resolved X-ray absorption-fine structure (Quick-XAFS) and UV-Vis absorption spectroscopies were combined for monitoring simultaneously the time evolution of Zn-based species and ZnO quantum dot (Qdot) formation and growth during the sol-gel synthesis from zinc oxy-acetate precursor solution. The time evolution of the nanostructural features of colloidal suspension was independently monitored in situ by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). In both cases, the monitoring was initialized just after the addition of NaOH solution (B = [OH]/[Zn] = 0.5) to the precursor solution at 40°C. Combined time-resolved Quick-XAFS and UV-Vis data showed that the formation of ZnO colloids from the zinc oxy-acetate consumption achieves a quasi-steady-state chemical equilibrium in less than 200 s. Afterwards, the comparison of the ZnO Qdots size and Guinier gyration radius evidences a limited aggregation process coupled to the Qdots growth. The analysis of the experimental results demonstrates that the nanocrystal coalescence and Ostwald ripening control the kinetics of the Qdot growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An experimental set-up for time-resolved X-ray absorption spectroscopy with 100 ps time resolution at beamline NW14A at the Photon Factory Advanced Ring is presented. The X-ray positional active feedback to crystals in a monochromator combined with a figure-of-merit scan of the laser beam position has been utilized as an essential tool to stabilize the spatial overlap of the X-ray and laser beams at the sample position. As a typical example, a time-resolved XAFS measurement of a photo-induced spin crossover reaction of the tris(1,10- phenanthrorine)iron(II) complex in water is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]