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Published on: December 7, 2017
An overview of solution-based semiconductor nanowires: synthesis and optical studies
1University of Notre Dame, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 251 Nieuwland Science Hall, Notre Dame, IN 46556, USA. mkuno@nd.edu
Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics : PCCP
|October 2, 2009
Summary
Researchers developed solution-phase syntheses for high-quality semiconductor nanowires (NWs) using low melting catalysts. This method enables controlled growth of branched NWs with unique morphologies and optical properties.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Optoelectronics
Background:
- Conventional vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) methods for one-dimensional (1D) materials require high temperatures.
- Solution-phase synthesis of semiconductor materials has advanced significantly, particularly for colloidal quantum dots (QDs).
- Controlling the growth and morphology of semiconductor nanowires (NWs) is crucial for their optoelectronic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe recent progress in synthesizing and optically characterizing high-quality, solution-based semiconductor nanowires (NWs).
- To present a novel synthesis approach analogous to VLS but adapted for solution chemistry.
- To investigate the structural and optical properties of both straight and branched NWs.
Main Methods:
- Solution-phase synthesis using low melting point catalyst particles at temperatures below 400°C.
- Employing mild coordinating solvents like trioctylphosphine oxide to modulate growth kinetics and passivate surfaces.
- Adapting established colloidal quantum dot (QD) synthesis techniques for NW growth, including precursor and ligand selection.
Main Results:
- Achieved high-quality semiconductor NWs with excellent crystallinity, uniform size distributions, and intrawire uniformity.
- Synthesized branched CdSe, CdTe, and PbSe NWs exhibiting diverse morphologies (tripod, v-shape, y-shape, t-shape).
- Characterized optical properties, including frequency-dependent absorption cross-sections, and observed intrawire optical heterogeneity and fluorescence intermittency at the single NW level.
Conclusions:
- The developed solution-phase synthesis offers a versatile route to high-quality semiconductor NWs, including complex branched structures.
- A 'geminate' NW nucleation mechanism explains the observed branching phenomenon, providing a predictive model for future syntheses.
- The optical characterization reveals unique properties of these NWs, paving the way for advanced optoelectronic device applications.
