2026-07-072026-07-07http://salesiana.dossiersoluciones.com/handle/123456789/154544We have theoretically examined the size dependence of the equilibrium lattice constant of nanocrystals of Si, GaAs and CdSe. While deviations from the bulk lattice constant are as large as 1-2% for unpassivated nanocrystals of Si, the deviations drop to ~ 0.3%-0.4% once the surfaces are passivated. Inspite of the fact that the average equilibrium bond-lengths are bulk-like, we find that the nearest-neighbor bond-length exhibits an unusual strain profile with bulk like bond-lengths in the core and shorter (~ 1%) bonds at the surface.Published in Applied physics lettersMaterials Sciencetext