Mantella, ValeriaStrach, MichalFrank, KilianPankhurst, James R.Stoian, DragosGadiyar, ChethanaNickel, BertBuonsanti, Raffaella2021-06-192021-06-192021-06-192020-05-1110.1002/anie.202004081https://infoscience.epfl.ch/handle/20.500.14299/179022WOS:000531330600001The classical nucleation theory (CNT) is the most common theoretical framework used to explain particle formation. However, nucleation is a complex process with reaction pathways which are often not covered by the CNT. Herein, we study the formation mechanism of copper nanospheres using in situ X-ray absorption and scattering measurements. We reveal that their nucleation involves coordination polymer lamellae as pre-nucleation structures occupying a local minimum in the reaction energy landscape. Having learned this, we achieved a superior monodispersity for Cu nanospheres of different sizes. This report exemplifies the importance of developing a more realistic picture of the mechanism involved in the formation of inorganic nanoparticles to develop a rational approach to their synthesis.Chemistry, MultidisciplinaryChemistrycoordination polymerscopperin situ x-ray measurementsformation mechanismsnanocrystalsnanoparticle formationgold nanoparticlesgrowthnucleationco2mechanismsscatteringsizecutext::journal::journal article::research article