Colloidally prepared CdSe and CdSe/ZnS core-shell nanocrystals passivated with trioctylphosphine/trioctylphosphine oxide and hexadecylamine have been studied by photoelectron spectroscopy with tuneable synchrotron radiation. High-resolution spectra of the Se 3d level in CdSe nanocrystals indicate the bonding of organic ligands not only to surface Cd but also to surface Se atoms. The investigation of the CdSe/ZnS core-shell nanocrystals allows us to determine the average thickness of the ZnS shell and to study the interface between the two semiconductor nanomaterials. The photoemission spectra indicate a rather well ordered interface. No evidence for interfacial bonds other than Cd-S and Se-Zn is found. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.119318001807