Organometallically Anisotropic Growth of Ultralong Sb2Se3 Nanowires with Highly Enhanced Photothermal Response

Recent Advances in Antimony Selenide Photodetectors

Photodetectors (PDs) rapidly capture optical signals and convert them into electrical signals, making them indispensable in a variety of applications including imaging, optical communication, remote sensing, and biological detection. Recently, antimony selenide (Sb2Se3) has achieved remarkable progress due to its earth-abundant, low toxicity, low price, suitable bandgap width, high absorption coefficient, and unique structural characteristics. Sb2Se3 has been extensively studied in solar cells, but there's a lack of timely updates in the field of PDs. A literature review based on Sb2Se3 PDs is urgently warranted. This review aims to provide a concise understanding of the latest progress in Sb2Se3 PDs, with a focus on the basic characteristics and the performance optimization for Sb2Se3 photoconductive-type and photodiode-type detectors, including nanostructure regulation, process optimization, and stability improvement of flexible devices. Furthermore, the application progresses of Sb2Se3 PDs in heart rate monitoring, and monolithic-integrated matrix images are introduced. Finally, this review presents various strategies with potential and feasibility to address challenges for the rapid development and commercial application of Sb2Se3 PDs.

Charge Puddles Driven Complex Crossover of Magnetoresistance in Non-Topological Sulfur Doped Antimony Selenide Nanowires

A race to achieve a crossover from positive to negative magnetoresistance is intense in the field of nanostructured materials to reduce the size of memory devices. Here, the unusual complex magnetoresistance in nonmagnetic sulfur-doped Sb2Se3 nanowires is demonstrated. Intentionally, sulfur is doped in such a way to nearly achieve the charge neutrality point that is evident from switching of carrier type from p-type to n-type at 13 K as inferred from the low-temperature thermoelectric power measurements. A change from 3D variable range hopping (VRH) to power law transport with α = 0.18  in resistivity measurement signifies a Luttinger liquid transport with weak links through the nanowires. Interestingly, high magnetic field induced negative magnetoresistance (NMR) occurring in hole dominated temperature regimes can only be explained by invoking the concept of charge puddles. Spot energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), magnetic force microscopy (MFM) measurements, Tmott and Regel plot indicate an enhanced disorder in these sulfurized nanowires that are found to be the precursor for the formation of these charge puddles. Tunability of conducting states in these nanowires is investigated in the light of interplay of carrier type, magnetic field, temperature, and intricate intra-inter wire transport that makes this nanowires potential for large scale spintronic devices.

Synergistically boosting reaction kinetics and suppressing polyselenide shuttle effect by Ti3C2Tx/Sb2Se3 film anode in high-performance sodium-ion batteries

Antimony selenide (Sb₂Se₃), with rich resources and high electrochemical activity, including in conversion and alloying reactions, has been regarded as an ideal candidate anode material for sodium-ion batteries. However, the severe volume expansion, sluggish kinetics, and polyselenide shuttle of the Sb₂Se₃-based anode lead to serious pulverization at high current density, restricting its industrialization. Herein, a unique structure of Sb₂Se₃ nanowires uniformly anchored between Ti₃C₂T_x (MXene) nanosheets was prepared by the electrostatic self-assembly method. The MXene can impede the volume expansion of Sb₂Se₃ nanowires in the sodiation process. Moreover, the Sb₂Se₃ nanowires can reduce the restacking of Ti₃C₂T_x nanosheets and enhance electrolyte accessibility. Furthermore, density functional theory calculations confirm the increased reaction kinetics and better sodium storage capability through the composite of Ti₃C₂T_x with Sb₂Se₃ and the high adsorption capability of Ti₃C₂T_x to polyselenides. Therefore, the resultant Sb₂Se₃/Ti₃C₂T_x anodes show high rate capability (369.4 mAh/g at 5 A/g) and cycling performance (568.9 and 304.1 mAh/g at 0.1 A/g after 100 cycles and at 1.0 A/g after 500 cycles). More importantly, the full sodium-ion batteries using the Sb₂Se₃/Ti₃C₂T_x anode and Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃/carbon cathode exhibit high energy/power densities and outstanding cycle performance.

One dimensional MOSFETs for sub-5 nm high-performance applications: a case of Sb2Se3 nanowires

Low-dimensional materials have been proposed as alternatives to silicon-based field-effect transistor (FET) channel materials in order to overcome the scaling limitation. In the present research, gate-all-around (GAA) Sb₂Se₃ nanowire FETs were simulated using the ab initio quantum transport method. The gate-length (L_g, L_g = 5 nm) GAA Sb₂Se₃ FETs with an underlap (UL, UL = 2, 3 nm) could satisfy the on-state current (I_on) and delay time (τ) of the 2028 requirements for high performance (HP) applications of the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) 2013. It is interesting that the L_g = 3 nm GAA Sb₂Se₃ FETs with a UL = 3 nm can meet the I_on, power dissipation (PDP), and τ of the 2028 requirements of ITRS 2013 for HP applications. Therefore, GAA Sb₂Se₃ FETs can be a potential candidate scaling Moore's law downward to 3 nm.

High-responsivity, self-driven visible-near infrared Sb2Se3 nanorod array photodetector

Anisotropic antimony selenide (Sb₂Se₃) semiconductor has received considerable attention due to its unique one-dimensional crystal structure and corresponding superior and anisotropic optical and electronic properties. It is a promising material for a wide range of applications related to electronics and optoelectronics. Herein, we demonstrate a high-performance and self-powered Sb₂Se₃ nanorod array-based core/shell heterojunction detector fabricated on glass substate. The detector shows a wide spectral photoresponse range from visible to near-infrared (405-980 nm). The detector yields a detectivity of as high as 2.06×10¹² Jones in the visible light (638 nm) and that of 1.82×10¹² Jones (830 nm) at zero bias. Due to the strong built-in filed and excellent carrier transport, the detector exhibits ultrafast response speed at both rise (30 μs) and decay (68 μs) processes. Further analysis demonstrates that the noise is mainly generated from the 1/f noise in the low frequency range, while it is affected by the shot noise and generation-recombination noise in high frequency.

Rapid, facile synthesis of InSb twinning superlattice nanowires with a high-frequency photoconductivity response

We present a self-seeded (with indium droplets) solution-liquid-solid (SLS) synthesis route for InSb nanowires (NWs) using commercially available precursors at a relatively low temperature of about 175 °C, which takes only 1 min upon the injection of reductant. Structural characterization reveals that the InSb nanowires are high quality and have twinning superlattice structures with periodically spaced twin planes along the growth direction of 〈111〉. Notably, we have measured an ultrafast conductivity lifetime in the NWs of just 9.1 ps utilizing time-resolved optical pump-terahertz probe (OPTP) spectroscopy, which may facilitate the development of high-frequency nanoscale integrated optoelectronic systems related to twinning superlattice structures.

Pnictogen Semimetal (Sb, Bi)-Based Nanomaterials for Cancer Imaging and Therapy: A Materials Perspective

Innovative multifunctional nanomaterials have attracted tremendous interest in current research by facilitating simultaneous cancer imaging and therapy. Among them, antimony (Sb)- and bismuth (Bi)-based nanoparticles are important species with multifunction to boost cancer theranostic efficacy. Despite the rapid development, the extensive previous work treated Sb- and Bi-based nanoparticles as mutually independent species, and therefore a thorough understanding of their relationship in cancer theranostics was lacking. We propose here that the identical chemical nature of Sb and Bi, being semimetals, provides their derived nanoparticles with inherent multifunction for near-infrared laser-driven and/or X-ray-based cancer imaging and therapy as well as some other imparted functions. An overview of recent progress on Sb- and Bi-based nanoparticles for cancer theranostics is provided to highlight the relationship between chemical nature and multifunction. The understanding of Sb- and Bi-based nanoparticles in this way might shed light on the further design of smart multifunctional nanoparticles for cancer theranostics.

Fast colloidal synthesis of SnSe2 nanosheets for flexible broad-band photodetection

A new rapid bottom-up colloidal synthetic route has been developed to synthesize SnSe₂ nanosheets within 5 min. A SnSe₂ nanosheet-based flexible photodetector is fabricated for the first time and the resulting device displays a wide photodetection range and high flexibility.

Growth of MSe semiconductor nanowires on metal substrates through an Ag2Se-catalyzed solution–solid–solid mechanism (M = Zn, Cd and Mn)

Solution-phase growth of MSe nanowires on their respective metal foil or flakes (M = Zn, Cd and Mn) has been realized by a recently developed solution–solid–solid mechanism initiated by preexisting Ag2Se seeds.

Cation-exchange construction of ZnSe/Sb2Se3 hollow microspheres coated by nitrogen-doped carbon with enhanced sodium ion storage capability

Recently, anode materials with synergistic sodium storage mechanisms of conversion combined with alloying reactions for sodium ion batteries (SIBs) have received widespread attention due to their high theoretical capacities. In this work, through reacting with an appropriate concentration of Sb³⁺ ions and a simple carbonization process, hollow ZnSe/Sb₂Se₃ microspheres encapsulated in nitrogen-doped carbon (ZnSe/Sb₂Se₃@NC) are progressively synthesized based on a cation-exchange reaction, using polydopamine-coated ZnSe (ZnSe@PDA) microspheres as the precursor. Benefiting from the synergistic effects between the unique structure and composition characteristics, when serving as an anode material for SIBs, they result in higher sodium diffusion coefficients (8.7 × 10^-13-3.98 × 10^-9 cm² s^-1) and ultrafast pseudocapacitive sodium storage capability. Compared with ZnSe@NC and Sb₂Se₃@NCs exhibit, ZnSe/Sb₂Se₃@NC exhibits more stable capacity (438 mA h g^-1 at a current of 0.5 A g^-1 after 120 cycles) and superior rate performance (316 mA h g^-1 at 10.0 A g^-1). Our work provides a convenient method to construct high performance anodes with tunable composition and structure for energy storage.

PVP-coated Sb2Se3 nanorods as nanotheranostic agents for photoacoustic imaging and photothermal therapy in NIR-I bio-windows

Antimony selenide (Sb₂Se₃) as a simple, low toxicity, low-cost p-type semiconductor material with broad absorbance ranging from the UV to the NIR region has many potential applications in photovoltaic, thermoelectric, and phase-change memory devices. Owing to these excellent properties, Sb₂Se₃ nanorods were firstly synthesized with triphenylantimony and dibenzyldiselenide under solvothermal conditions. In order to enhance the biocompatibility of the Sb₂Se₃ nanorods, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was coated onto the surface of the Sb₂Se₃ nanorods to form PVP-coated Sb₂Se₃ nanorods. The cell viability of PVP-coated Sb₂Se₃ nanorods toward Hep-2 cells was assessed for 24 h using a Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. The results showed that Hep-2 cells treated with PVP-coated Sb₂Se₃ nanorods were alive at a concentration as high as 100 μg mL⁻¹ in the absence of NIR irradiation. In vivo assessment confirmed that PVP-coated Sb₂Se₃ nanorods exhibited excellent photoacoustic imaging and PTT performance, which yielded complete ablation of tumors after laser irradiation (808 nm or 980 nm) in the NIR-I bio-window.

Herein we reported a biocompatible PVP-coated Sb₂Se₃ nanorods as PTT nanotheranostic agent, which is responsive to the light (808 and 980 nm) in NIR-I bio-windows and effective for photoacoustic imaging and photothermal destruction of cancer cell.

A facile non-injection phosphorus-free synthesis of semiconductor nanoparticles using new selenium precursors

New Se-precursors enable the phosphorus-free non-injection synthesis of luminescent quantum dots and nanotetrapods as well as the injection-based synthesis of quantum rods.

Facile synthesis of novel antimony selenide nanocrystals with hierarchical architecture by physical vapor deposition technique

Stoichiometric antimony selenide (Sb2Se3) nanocrystals have been successfully engineered by a facile physical vapor deposition method, employing a single precursor of polycrystalline Sb2Se3 charge in a closed quartz ampoule under high vacuum without any foreign seed or extraneous chemical elements. This work underscores the efficacy of the vapor deposition process and provides synthetic strategies to scale down bulk Sb2Se3 into novel nanostructures. The morphological evolution of the tailored architecture was examined on micro and nano size scales by scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The intrinsic mechanism governing the nanostructure formation is revealed as layer-by-layer growth, related to the unique layered structure of Sb2Se3. The optical properties of the grown crystals were probed by UV–vis–NIR and photoluminescence tools. The band-gap values of the microfibers, nanorods, nanooctahedra and nanospheres estimated from UV–vis–NIR analysis are found to be 1.25, 1.47, 1.51 and 1.75 eV, respectively. Powder X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive analysis by X-rays, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and photoluminescence studies confirmed the quality, phase purity and homogeneity of the as-grown nanostructures. The adopted physical vapor deposition method is thus shown to be a simple and elegant route which resulted in the enhancement of the band gap for the Sb2Se3 samples compared with their counterparts grown by chemical methods. This approach has great potential for further applications in optoelectronics.

Chemical Vapor Deposition Growth of High Crystallinity Sb2 Se3 Nanowire with Strong Anisotropy for Near-Infrared Photodetectors

Low-dimensional semiconductors have attracted considerable attention due to their unique structures and remarkable properties, which makes them promising materials for a wide range of applications related to electronics and optoelectronics. Herein, the preparation of 1D Sb₂ Se₃ nanowires (NWs) with high crystal quality via chemical vapor deposition growth is reported. The obtained Sb₂ Se₃ NWs have triangular prism morphology with aspect ratio range from 2 to 200, and three primary lattice orientations can be achieved on the sixfold symmetry mica substrate. Angle-resolved polarized Raman spectroscopy measurement reveals strong anisotropic properties of the Sb₂ Se₃ NWs, which is also developed to identify its crystal orientation. Furthermore, photodetectors based on Sb₂ Se₃ NW exhibit a wide spectral photoresponse range from visible to NIR (400-900 nm). Owing to the high crystallinity of Sb₂ Se₃ NW, the photodetector acquires a photocurrent on/off ratio of about 405, a responsivity of 5100 mA W^-1 , and fast rise and fall times of about 32 and 5 ms, respectively. Additionally, owing to the anisotropic structure of Sb₂ Se₃ NW, the device exhibits polarization-dependent photoresponse. The high crystallinity and superior anisotropy of Sb₂ Se₃ NW, combined with controllable preparation endows it with great potential for constructing multifunctional optoelectronic devices.

Cryo-assisted exfoliation of atomically thin 2D Sb2Se3 nanosheets for photo-induced theranostics

A cryo-assisted liquid exfoliation approach was developed to prepare atomically thin Sb₂Se₃ colloidal nanosheets for simultaneous photoacoustic imaging and photothermal therapy.

Solution Synthesis of Nonequilibrium Zincblende MnS Nanowires

Uniform four-coordinate nonequilibrium MnS nanowires mainly in zincblende structure, other than the stable rock-salt phase, are reported for the first time. The MnS nanowires are grown via a solution-solid-solid model from the reaction of a Mn(II) source with dibenzyl disulfide in oleylamine at 180-200 °C catalyzed by Ag₂S nanocrystals in a body-centered cubic (bcc) fast-ionic phase transformed from their low-temperature monoclinic form. Investigations show that most of the zincblende MnS nanowires are grown along the ⟨112⟩ zone axis but a small proportion grow along the ⟨111⟩_ZB/⟨0001⟩_Wur axis with zincblende/defect-section and/or wurtzite/defect-section superlattices connected with the stems along the ⟨112⟩ direction. The nanowires have a tendency to grow straight at relatively low reaction temperature for short reaction times but twist at high temperature for long reaction times. Meanwhile, relatively high temperatures and long times favor the transition of the MnS nanowires in the zincblende phase to the corresponding thermodynamic ones in rock-salt form. Interestingly, even small increases in reaction pressure (1-2 atm) sensitively influence the growth of the MnS nanowires from zincblende to wurtzite form in the present catalytic system although low-pressure changes commonly do not have an obvious effect on condensed matter. In addition, the optical and magnetic properties of the zincblende MnS nanowires were studied, and they are varied largely from the bulk.

Colloidal synthesis and characterization of single-crystalline Sb2Se3 nanowires

Single-crystalline Sb₂Se₃ nanowires have been synthesized by a hot-injection phosphine-free colloidal method and show excellent photoelectrochemical properties.

Improving the zT value of thermoelectrics by nanostructuring: tuning the nanoparticle morphology of Sb2Te3by using ionic liquids

Morphology and thermoelectric properties of Sb₂Te₃nanoparticles synthesized in ionic liquids are controlled by the cation and anion.

Ultralong Sb2Se3 Nanowire-Based Free-Standing Membrane Anode for Lithium/Sodium Ion Batteries

Metal chalcogenides have emerged as promising anode materials for lithium ion batteries (LIBs) and sodium ion batteries (SIBs). Herein, a free-standing membrane based on ultralong Sb₂Se₃ nanowires has been successfully fabricated via a facile hydrothermal synthesis combined with a subsequent vacuum filtration treatment. The as-achieved free-standing membrane constructed by pure Sb₂Se₃ nanowires exhibits good flexibility and integrity. Meanwhile, we investigate the lithium and sodium storage behavior of the Sb₂Se₃ nanowire-based free-standing membrane. When applied as the anode for LIBs, it delivers a reversible capacity of 614 mA h g^-1 at 100 mA g^-1, maintaining 584 mA h g^-1 after 50 cycles. When applied as the anode for SIBs, it delivers a reversible capacity of 360 mA h g^-1 at 100 mA g^-1, retaining 289 mA h g^-1 after 50 cycles. Such difference in electrochemical performance can be attributed to the more complex sodiation process relative to the corresponding lithiation process. This work may provide insight on developing Sb₂Se₃-based anode materials for high-performance LIBs or SIBs.

Advances in biodegradable nanomaterials for photothermal therapy of cancer

Photothermal cancer therapy is an alternative to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. With the development of nanophotothermal agents, this therapy holds immense potential in clinical translation. However, the toxicity issues derived from the fact that nanomaterials are trapped and retained in the reticuloendothelial systems limit their biomedical application. Developing biodegradable photothermal agents is the most practical route to address these concerns. In addition to the physicochemical properties of nanomaterials, various internal and external stimuli play key roles on nanomaterials uptake, transport, and clearance. In this review, we summarized novel nanoplatforms for photothermal therapy; these nanoplatforms can elicit stimuli-triggered degradation. We focused on the recent innovative designs endowed with biodegradable photothermal agents under different stimuli, including enzyme, pH, and near-infrared (NIR) laser.