Temperature dependent EXAFS measurements have been carried out on 2-mercapt
oethanol-stabilized CdTe nanocrystals. The technique allows to study the st
ructural and dynamic properties of the CdTe core and the Cd-SR (R=organic r
est) shell separately. Based on the coordination numbers and the Cd/Te-rati
o determined by EXAFS, the formula [Cd54Te32(SCH2CH2OH)(52)](8-) is suggest
ed. The underlying structure is a tetrahedral CdTe core (zincblende) partia
lly coated by a Cd-SR surface layer.