Synthesis of CdS and ZnS nanowires using single-source molecular precursors

Ultrathin, High-Aspect-Ratio Bismuth Sulfohalide Nanowire Bundles for Solution-Processed Flexible Photodetectors

In this study, a novel synthesis of ultrathin, highly uniform colloidal bismuth sulfohalide (BiSX where X = Cl, Br, I) nanowires (NWs) and NW bundles (NBs) for room-temperature and solution-processed flexible photodetectors are presented. High-aspect-ratio bismuth sulfobromide (BiSBr) NWs are synthesized via a heat-up method using bismuth bromide and elemental S as precursors and 1-dodecanethiol as a solvent. Bundling of the BiSBr NWs occurs upon the addition of 1-octadecene as a co-solvent. The morphologies of the BiSBr NBs are easily tailored from sheaf-like structures to spherulite nanostructures by changing the solvent ratio. The optical bandgaps are modulated from 1.91 (BiSCl) and 1.88 eV (BiSBr) to 1.53 eV (BiSI) by changing the halide compositions. The optical bandgap of the ultrathin BiSBr NWs and NBs exhibits blueshift, whose origin is investigated through density functional theory-based first-principles calculations. Visible-light photodetectors are fabricated using BiSBr NWs and NBs via solution-based deposition followed by solid-state ligand exchanges. High photo-responsivities and external quantum efficiencies (EQE) are obtained for BiSBr NW and NB films even under strain, which offer a unique opportunity for the application of the novel BiSX NWs and NBs in flexible and environmentally friendly optoelectronic devices.

Zinc and cadmium thioamidate complexes: rational design of single-source precursors for the AACVD of ZnS

A series of zinc(II) thioamidate complexes [Zn{SC(iPr)NR}2]n for R = iPr (n = 2) (2), tBu (3) (n = 1), Ph (4) (n = 2) and Cy (5) (n = 2) and one cadmium(II) thioamidate complex [Cd{SC(iPr)NtBu}2]3, (6), were designed and synthesised as single-source precursors for AACVD ZnS and CdS. Solid-state structures of all four zinc(II) compounds revealed distorted tetrahedral or trigonal bipyramidal geometries, with varying tendencies for dimeric association, mediated by {Zn-S} bridging bonds. The thermogravimetric analysis identified the {tBu} derivertive, 3, as the most promising precursor based on its low decomposition onset (118 °C) and clean conversion to ZnS. This was attributed to the greater availability of β-hydrogen atoms promoting the pyrolysis mechanism. The corresponding cadmium thioamide 6 was found to crystallise as a trimetallic molecule which lacked the thermal stability to be considered viable for AACVD. Hence, 3 was used to deposit ZnS thin films by AACVD at 200-300 °C. Powder X-ray diffraction confirmed phase-pure growth of hexagonal wurtzite ZnS, with approximate crystallite sizes of 15-20 nm. Scanning electron microscopy revealed densely packed spherical nanoclusters. The morphology and crystallinity were most consistent for depositions between 250-300 °C. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy indicated slightly sulfur-deficient stoichiometries.

Blue-emitting SiO2-coated Si-doped ZnSeS quantum dots conjugated aptamer-molecular beacon as an electrochemical and metal-enhanced fluorescence biosensor for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein

The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) which was first reported in early January 2020, continues to devastate the worlds public health system. Herein, we report on the development of a novel metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF) and electrochemical biosensor for SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein. To develop the MEF biosensor, SiO2-coated Si-doped ZnSeS quantum dots (QDs) were newly synthesized and conjugated to an aptamer-molecular beacon (Apta-MB) probe. Thereafter, cationic AuNPs, used as a localised surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) signal amplifier, were self-assembled on the QDs-Apta-MB conjugate to form a QDs-Apta-MB-AuNP probe. To develop the electrochemical biosensor, the QDs-Apta-MB assay was carried out on a carbon nanofiber-modified screen-printed carbon electrode. Cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to characterize the electrode surface whilst spectrophotometric, spectroscopic, fluorescence polarization and electron microscopic techniques were used to characterize the materials. Under optimal experimental conditions, the QDs binding to the Apta-MB, quenched the QDs' fluorescence and with SARS-CoV-2 S protein binding to the Apta-MB, LSPR signal from cationic AuNPs of different sizes and shapes were used to tune the fluorescence signal to obtain enhanced sensitivity. On the other hand, using [Fe(CN)6]/K3-/4- buffered with NaAc-KAc-TrizmaAc-KSCN-Borax as the electrolyte solution, anodic peaks of the QDs from the CV and DPV plots were unravelled. Electrochemical detection of SARS-CoV-2 S protein was accomplished by a systematic increase in the QDs anodic peak current generated from the DPV plots. The limits of detection obtained for the SARS-CoV-2 S protein were 8.9 fg/mL for the QDs-Apta-MB-AuNP MEF probe and ∼0.5 pg/mL for the QDs-Apta-MB electrochemical probe. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 S protein in saliva was demonstrated using the QDs-Apta-MB-AuNP MEF probe.

Orbital-Angular-Momentum-Controlled Hybrid Nanowire Circuit

Plasmonic nanostructures can enable compact multiplexing of the orbital angular momentum (OAM) of light; however, strong dissipation of the highly localized OAM-distinct plasmonic fields in the near-field region hinders on-chip OAM transmission and processing. Superior transmission efficiency is offered by semiconductor nanowires sustaining highly confined optical modes, but only the polarization degree of freedom has been utilized for their selective excitation. Here we demonstrate that incident OAM beams can selectively excite single-crystalline cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanowires through coupling OAM-distinct plasmonic fields into nanowire waveguides for long-distance transportation. This allows us to build an OAM-controlled hybrid nanowire circuit for optical logic operations including AND and OR gates. In addition, this circuit enables the on-chip photoluminescence readout of OAM-encrypted information. Our results open exciting new avenues not only for nanowire photonics to develop OAM-controlled optical switches, logic gates, and modulators but also for OAM photonics to build ultracompact photonic circuits for information processing.

Dithiocarbamate Complexes as Single Source Precursors to Nanoscale Binary, Ternary and Quaternary Metal Sulfides

Nanodimensional metal sulfides are a developing class of low-cost materials with potential applications in areas as wide-ranging as energy storage, electrocatalysis, and imaging. An attractive synthetic strategy, which allows careful control over stoichiometry, is the single source precursor (SSP) approach in which well-defined molecular species containing preformed metal-sulfur bonds are heated to decomposition, either in the vapor or solution phase, resulting in facile loss of organics and formation of nanodimensional metal sulfides. By careful control of the precursor, the decomposition environment and addition of surfactants, this approach affords a range of nanocrystalline materials from a library of precursors. Dithiocarbamates (DTCs) are monoanionic chelating ligands that have been known for over a century and find applications in agriculture, medicine, and materials science. They are easily prepared from nontoxic secondary and primary amines and form stable complexes with all elements. Since pioneering work in the late 1980s, the use of DTC complexes as SSPs to a wide range of binary, ternary, and multinary sulfides has been extensively documented. This review maps these developments, from the formation of thin films, often comprised of embedded nanocrystals, to quantum dots coated with organic ligands or shelled by other metal sulfides that show high photoluminescence quantum yields, and a range of other nanomaterials in which both the phase and morphology of the nanocrystals can be engineered, allowing fine-tuning of technologically important physical properties, thus opening up a myriad of potential applications.

Photosensitive Thin Films Based on Drop Cast and Langmuir-Blodgett Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic CdS Nanoparticles

Comparative photoelectrochemical studies of cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanoparticles with either hydrophilic or hydrophobic surface properties are presented. Oleylamine organic shells provided CdS nanoparticles with hydrophobic behavior, affecting the photoelectrochemical properties of such nanostructured semiconductor. Hydrophilic CdS nanoparticles were drop-cast on the electrode, whereas the hydrophobic ones were transferred in a controlled manner with Langmuir-Blodgett technique. The substantial hindrance of photopotential and photocurrent was observed for L-B CdS films as compared to the hydrophilic, uncoated nanoparticles that were drop-cast directly on the electrode surface. The electron lifetime in both hydrophilic and hydrophobic nanocrystalline CdS was determined, revealing longer carrier lifetime for oleylamine coated CdS nanoparticles, ascribed to the trapping of charge at the interface of the organic shell/CdS nanoparticle and to the dominant influence of the resistance of the organic shell against the flux of charges. The “on” transients of the photocurrent responses, observed only for the oleylamine-coated nanoparticles, were resolved, yielding the potential-dependent rate constants of the redox processes occurring at the interface.

Core-shell structured cadmium sulfide nanocomposites for solar energy utilization

Solar energy utilization technologies have been widely explored to solve the global energy crisis because the inexhaustible solar energy can be converted into chemical fuel and electricity. Various semiconductors that are crucial for solar energy utilization have been extensively developed. Among them, cadmium sulfide (CdS) has attracted extensive attention due to its suitable band-gap and excellent electrical/optical properties. However, CdS is still limited by rapid charge recombination, instability and low quantum efficiency. Core-shell structures can provide great opportunities for constructing advanced structures with superior properties to overcome the remaining challenges. This review focuses on the significant advances in core-shell structured CdS nanocomposites for solar energy utilization. Initially, the synthetic methods to construct core-shell structured CdS nanocomposites are reviewed. Then the applications in solar energy utilization are discussed, including photocatalytic\photoelectrochemical water splitting, photocatalytic CO₂ reduction and solar cells. Finally, the perspectives of core-shell structured CdS nanocomposites for solar energy utilization are proposed.

On-chip single-mode CdS nanowire laser

By integrating a free-standing cadmium sulfide (CdS) nanowire onto a silicon nitride (SiN) photonic chip, we demonstrate a highly compact on-chip single-mode CdS nanowire laser. The mode selection is realized using a Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) structure. When the pumping intensity exceeds the lasing threshold of 4.9 kW/cm2, on-chip single-mode lasing at ~518.9 nm is achieved with a linewidth of 0.1 nm and a side-mode suppression ratio of up to a factor of 20 (13 dB). The output of the nanowire laser is channelled into an on-chip SiN waveguide with high efficiency (up to 58%) by evanescent coupling, and the directional coupling ratio between the two output ports can be varied from 90 to 10% by predesigning the coupling length of the SiN waveguide. Our results open new opportunities for both nanowire photonic devices and on-chip light sources and may pave the way towards a new category of hybrid nanolasers for chip-integrated applications.

Understanding the role of zinc dithiocarbamate complexes as single source precursors to ZnS nanomaterials

Zinc sulfide is an important wide-band gap semi-conductor and dithiocarbamate complexes [Zn(S2CNR2)2] find widespread use as single-source precursors for the controlled synthesis of ZnS nanoparticulate modifications. Decomposition of [Zn(S2CNiBu2)2] in oleylamine gives high aspect ratio wurtzite nanowires, the average length of which was increased upon addition of thiuram disulfide to the decomposition mixture. To provide further insight into the decomposition process, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) of [Zn(S2CNMe2)2] was performed in the solid-state, in non-coordinating xylene and in oleylamine. In the solid-state, dimeric [Zn(S2CNMe2)2]2 was characterised in accord with the single crystal X-ray structure, while in xylene this breaks down into tetrahedral monomers. In situ XAS in oleylamine (RNH2) shows that the coordination sphere is further modified, amine binding to give five-coordinate [Zn(S2CNMe2)2(RNH2)]. This species is stable to ca. 70 °C, above which amine dissociates and at ca. 90 °C decomposition occurs to generate ZnS. The relatively low temperature onset of nanoparticle formation is associated with amine-exchange leading to the in situ formation of [Zn(S2CNMe2)(S2CNHR)] which has a low temperature decomposition pathway. Combining these observations with the previous work of others allows us to propose a detailed mechanistic scheme for the overall process.

Sensitive photoelectrochemical immunoassay of Staphylococcus aureus based on one-pot electrodeposited ZnS/CdS heterojunction nanoparticles

We report here a facile synthesis of ZnS/CdS heterojunction nanoparticles on an indium-tin oxide (ITO) electrode and their application in the ultrasensitive photoelectrochemical detection of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). The ZnS/CdS/ITO electrode was prepared using one-pot electrodeposition in an acidic solution containing ZnCl2, CdCl2 and Na2S2O3. The optimal ZnS/CdS heterojunction nanoparticles with a Zn/Cd atomic ratio of 1 : 1 showed a high photoelectrochemical response to l-cysteine. l-Cysteine-encapsulated liposome (cysteine@liposome) immunonanocapsules were prepared and used as the labels for photoelectrochemical detection of S. aureus. By coupling cysteine@liposome immunonanocapsule labeling with immunomagnetic separation/enrichment and photoelectrochemical analysis using the ZnS/CdS/ITO electrode, sensitive photoelectrochemical detection of S. aureus was achieved. Under optimal conditions, the linear range for photoelectrochemical detection of S. aureus was from 1 to 4000 CFU mL-1. The proposed method was successfully used for photoelectrochemical detection of S. aureus in milk and juice samples.

From Wurtzite Nanoplatelets to Zinc Blende Nanorods: Simultaneous Control of Shape and Phase in Ultrathin ZnS Nanocrystals

Ultrathin semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) with at least one dimension below their exciton Bohr radius receive a rapidly increasing attention due to their unique physicochemical properties. These superior properties highly depend on the shape and crystal phase of semiconductor NCs. Here, we demonstrate not only the synthesis of well-defined ultrathin ZnS nanoplatelets (NPLs) with excitonic absorption and emission, but also the shape/phase transformation between wurtzite (WZ) NPLs and zinc blende (ZB) nanorods (NRs). UV-vis absorption spectra of WZ-ZnS NPLs clearly exhibit a sharp excitonic peak that is not observed in ZB-ZnS NRs. Besides, the photoluminescence characterization shows that WZ-ZnS NPLs have a narrow excitonic emission peak, while ZB-ZnS NRs exhibit a broad collective emission band consisting of four emission peaks. The appearance of excitonic features in the absorption spectra of ZnS NPLs is explained by interband electronic transitions, which is simulated in the framework of atomic effective pseudopotentials (AEP).

Synthesis, properties and applications of semiconductor nanostructured zinc sulfide

Experimental results obtained in recent years on the synthesis, structure and properties of nanostructured zinc sulfide are summarized and analyzed. The crystal polymorphs of zinc sulfide and methods for the synthesis of zinc sulfide as quantum dots, nanospheres, doped nanoparticles, thin films and heteronanostructures with different morphology are described. The attention is focused on the emission and semiconductor properties of the title compound. The potential applications of zinc sulfide-based nanostructures are considered.

The bibliography includes 194 references.

Advances in Nano Neuroscience: From Nanomaterials to Nanotools

During the last decades, neuroscientists have increasingly exploited a variety of artificial, de-novo synthesized materials with controlled nano-sized features. For instance, a renewed interest in the development of prostheses or neural interfaces was driven by the availability of novel nanomaterials that enabled the fabrication of implantable bioelectronics interfaces with reduced side effects and increased integration with the target biological tissue. The peculiar physical-chemical properties of nanomaterials have also contributed to the engineering of novel imaging devices toward sophisticated experimental settings, to smart fabricated scaffolds and microelectrodes, or other tools ultimately aimed at a better understanding of neural tissue functions. In this review, we focus on nanomaterials and specifically on carbon-based nanomaterials, such as carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene. While these materials raise potential safety concerns, they represent a tremendous technological opportunity for the restoration of neuronal functions. We then describe nanotools such as nanowires and nano-modified MEA for high-performance electrophysiological recording and stimulation of neuronal electrical activity. We finally focus on the fabrication of three-dimensional synthetic nanostructures, used as substrates to interface biological cells and tissues in vitro and in vivo.

Photocatalytic Dehydrogenation of Formic Acid on CdS Nanorods through Ni and Co Redox Mediation under Mild Conditions

Selective release of hydrogen from formic acid (FA) is deemed feasible to solve issues associated with the production and storage of hydrogen. Here, we present a new efficient photocatalytic system consisting of CdS nanorods (NRs), Ni, and Co to liberate hydrogen from FA. The optimized noble-metal-free catalytic system employs Ni/Co as a redox mediator to relay electrons and holes from CdS NRs to the Ni and Co, respectively, which also deters the oxidation of CdS NRs. As a result, a high hydrogen production activity of 32.6 mmol h^-1  g^-1 from the decomposition of FA was noted. Furthermore, the photocatalytic system exhibits sustained H₂ production rate for 12 h with sequential turnover numbers surpassing 4×10³ , 3×10³ , and 2×10³ for Co-Ni/CdS NRs, Ni/CdS NRs, and CoCl₂ /CdS NRs, respectively.

Synthesis, Optical, and Structural Studies of Iron Sulphide Nanoparticles and Iron Sulphide Hydroxyethyl Cellulose Nanocomposites from Bis-(Dithiocarbamato)Iron(II) Single-Source Precursors

In this study, Fe(II) complexes of phenyldithiocarbamate, dimethyldithiocarbamate and imidazolyldithiocarbamate were used as single-source precursors to prepare iron sulphide nanoparticles by thermolysis in oleic acid/octadecylamine (ODA) at 180 °C. The nanoparticles were dispersed into hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC) to prepare iron sulphide/HEC nanocomposites. Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis), Photoluminescence (PL), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), powder X-ray diffraction (pXRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) were used to characterize the iron sulphide nanoparticles and corresponding HEC nanocomposites. The absorption spectra studies revealed that the nanoparticles were blue shifted due to quantum confinement and the optical band gaps of the nanoparticles are 4.85 eV for FeS1, 4.36 eV for FeS2, and 4.77 eV for FeS3. The emission maxima are red-shifted and broader for the nanoparticles prepared from phenyldithiocarbamate. Rod-like and spherically shaped iron sulphide particles were observed from the HRTEM images. The crystallite sizes from the HRTEM images are 23.90-38.89 nm for FeS1, 4.50-10.50 nm for FeS2, and 6.05-6.19 nm for FeS3 iron sulphide nanoparticles, respectively. pXRD diffraction patterns confirmed that FeS1 is in the pyrrhotite-4M crystalline phase, FeS2 is in the pyrrhotite phase, and FeS3 is in the troilite phase of iron sulphide. The phases of the iron sulphide nanoparticles indicate that the nature of the precursor complex affects the obtained crystalline phase. FTIR spectra studies confirmed the incorporation of the nanoparticles in the HEC matrix by the slight shift of the O-H and C-O bonds and the intense peaks on the nanoparticles. FESEM images of the iron sulphide nanoparticles showed flake-like or leaf-like morphologies with some hollow spheres. The EDS confirmed the formation of iron sulphide nanoparticles by showing the peaks of Fe and S.

Controllable Vapor Growth of Large-Area Aligned CdS x Se1-x Nanowires for Visible Range Integratable Photodetectors

The controllable growth of large area band gap engineered-semiconductor nanowires (NWs) with precise orientation and position is of immense significance in the development of integrated optoelectronic devices. In this study, we have achieved large area in-plane-aligned CdS _x Se_1-x nanowires via chemical vapor deposition method. The orientation and position of the alloyed CdS _x Se_1-x NWs could be controlled well by the graphoepitaxial effect and the patterns of Au catalyst. Microstructure characterizations of these as-grown samples reveal that the aligned CdS _x Se_1-x NWs possess smooth surface and uniform diameter. The aligned CdS _x Se_1-x NWs have strong photoluminescence and high-quality optical waveguide emission covering almost the entire visible wavelength range. Furthermore, photodetectors were constructed based on individual alloyed CdS _x Se_1-x NWs. These devices exhibit high performance and fast response speed with photoresponsivity ~ 670 A W^-1 and photoresponse time ~ 76 ms. Present work provides a straightforward way to realize in-plane aligned bandgap engineering in semiconductor NWs for the development of large area NW arrays, which exhibit promising applications in future optoelectronic integrated circuits.

Homoepitaxial growth on semiconductor nanocrystals for efficient and stable visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen evolution

Recent advancements in colloidal chemistry offer unique opportunities to construct core/shell semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) with tailored optical properties. Major efforts have been focused on synthesizing core/shell NCs via heteroepitaxial growth, which often leads to effective surface passivation and thus reduced trap states (TS). However, the growth of a shell with a wider band gap or energy band offset tends to form a physical barrier for the migration of photo-generated charge carriers to the surrounding environment, resulting in compromised photoactivity. Here, we show that the homoepitaxial growth of NCs is able to facilitate the passivation of TS without affecting the migration of charge carriers to the surface of NCs. Homostructured CdS_homo NCs have demonstrated improved photocatalytic hydrogen production compared with the CdS core NCs and heterostructured CdS/ZnS core/shell NCs in terms of both efficiency and photostability. We envision that homoepitaxial growth would provide new opportunities to tailor semiconductor NCs for photocatalytic and photovoltaic applications.

Synthesis and Characterization of PtTe2 Multi-Crystallite Nanoparticles using Organotellurium Nanocomposites

Herein, we report the synthesis of new PtTe2 multi-crystallite nanoparticles (NPs) in different sizes through an annealing process using new nanostructured Pt-Te organometallic NPs as a single source precursor. This precursor was obtained in a single reaction step using Ph2Te2 and H2PtCl6 and could be successfully size controlled in the nanoscale range. The resulting organometallic composite precursor could be thermally decomposed in 1,5 pentanediol to yield the new PtTe2 multi-crystallite NPs. The final size of the multi-crystallite spheres was successfully controlled by selecting the nanoprecursor size. The sizes of the PtTe2 crystallites formed using the large spheres were estimated to be in the range of 2.5-6.5 nm. The results provide information relevant to understanding specific mechanistic aspects related to the synthesis of organometallic nanomaterials and nanocrystals based on platinum and tellurium.

Shape-Dependent Photocatalytic Activity of Hydrothermally Synthesized Cadmium Sulfide Nanostructures

The effective surface area of the nanostructured materials is known to play a prime role in catalysis. Here we demonstrate that the shape of the nanostructured materials plays an equally important role in their catalytic activity. Hierarchical CdS microstructures with different morphologies such as microspheres assembled of nanoplates, nanorods, nanoparticles, and nanobelts are synthesized using a simple hydrothermal method by tuning the volume ratio of solvents, i.e., water or ethylenediamine (en). With an optimum solvent ratio of 3:1 water:en, the roles of other synthesis parameters such as precursor's ratio, temperature, and precursor combinations are also explored and reported here. Four selected CdS microstructures are used as photocatalysts for the degradation of methylene blue and photoelectrochemical water splitting for hydrogen generation. In spite of smaller effective surface area of CdS nanoneedles/nanorods than that of CdS nanowires network, the former exhibits higher catalytic activity under visible light irradiation which is ascribed to the reduced charge recombination as confirmed from the photoluminescence study.

Photocatalytic materials and technologies for air purification

Since there is increasing concern for the impact of air quality on human health, the present work surveys the materials and technologies for air purification using photocatalytic materials. The coverage includes (1) current photocatalytic materials for the decomposition of chemical contaminants and disinfection of pathogens present in air and (2) photocatalytic air purification systems that are used currently and under development. The present work focuses on five main themes. First, the mechanisms of photodegradation and photodisinfection are explained. Second, system designs for photocatalytic air purification are surveyed. Third, the photocatalytic materials used for air purification and their characteristics are considered, including both conventional and more recently developed photocatalysts. Fourth, the methods used to fabricate these materials are discussed. Fifth, the most significant coverage is devoted to materials design strategies aimed at improving the performance of photocatalysts for air purification. The review concludes with a brief consideration of promising future directions for materials research in photocatalysis.

Catalyst- and template-free low-temperature in situ growth of n-type CdS nanowire on p-type CdTe film and p-n heterojunction properties

CdS is an important semiconductor used in optoelectronic devices. Simple techniques for growing CdS nanostructures are thus essential at a low cost. This study presents a novel method for growing single-crystal n-type CdS nanowires on p-type CdTe films by thermal annealing in an H₂S/N₂ mixed gas flow, which does not require the help of a catalyst or template. The formation process and growth mechanism of the nanowires are investigated. Well-dispersed whiskerlike CdS nanostructures are obtained at an appropriate annealing temperature and duration. We suggest that the stress-driving mechanism of nanowire formation may contribute to the growth of CdS nanowires, and that the evaporation of Te through the boundaries of the CdS grain seeds plays an important role in the sustainable growth of nanowire. In addition, CdS/CdTe heterojunction device is fabricated on Mo glass. The I-V characteristic of the heterojunction in dark shows typical rectifying diode behavior. The turn-on voltage can be regulated by annealing conditions. Meanwhile, the obvious photovoltaic effect is obtained on the in situ growth heterojunction prepared at low annealing temperature. Hence, this is a new fabricated method for CdTe-based materials in the field of energy conversion.

CdS nanorods/organic hybrid LED array and the piezo-phototronic effect of the device for pressure mapping

As widely applied in light-emitting diodes and optical devices, CdS has attracted the attention of many researchers due to its nonlinear properties and piezo-electronic effect. Here, we demonstrate a LED array composed of

PEDOT

PSS and CdS nanorods and research the piezo-photonic effect of the array device. The emission intensity of the device depends on the electron-hole recombination at the interface of the p-n junction which can be adjusted using the piezo-phototronic effect and can be used to map the pressure applied on the surface of the device with spatial resolution as high as 1.5 μm. A flexible LED device array has been prepared using a CdS nanorod array on a Au/Cr/kapton substrate. This device may be used in the field of strain mapping using its high pressure spatial-resolution and flexibility.

Synthesis and characterization of calcium lanthanum sulfide via a wet chemistry route followed by thermal decomposition

In the present research, the ternary sulfide CaLa₂S₄ has been successfully synthesized via a wet chemistry method followed by thermal decomposition and characterized to investigate the microstructural features and optical properties.

Synthesis and enhanced gas sensing properties of Au-nanoparticle decorated CdS nanowires

CdS nanowires (NWs) with an average diameter of 30 nm were synthesized by a solvothermal method and then Au nanoparticles with a size of 10–25 nm were decorated on the surface of the as-synthesized CdS NWs through a simple deposition process.

A single-source precursor route to anisotropic halogen-doped zinc oxide particles as a promising candidate for new transparent conducting oxide materials

Numerous applications in optoelectronics require electrically conducting materials with high optical transparency over the entire visible light range. A solid solution of indium oxide and substantial amounts of tin oxide for electronic doping (ITO) is currently the most prominent example for the class of so-called TCOs (transparent conducting oxides). Due to the limited, natural occurrence of indium and its steadily increasing price, it is highly desired to identify materials alternatives containing highly abundant chemical elements. The doping of other metal oxides (e.g., zinc oxide, ZnO) is a promising approach, but two problems can be identified. Phase separation might occur at the required high concentration of the doping element, and for successful electronic modification it is mandatory that the introduced heteroelement occupies a defined position in the lattice of the host material. In the case of ZnO, most attention has been attributed so far to n-doping via substitution of Zn(2+) by other metals (e.g., Al(3+)). Here, we present first steps towards n-doped ZnO-based TCO materials via substitution in the anion lattice (O(2-) versus halogenides). A special approach is presented, using novel single-source precursors containing a potential excerpt of the target lattice 'HalZn·Zn3O3' preorganized on the molecular scale (Hal = I, Br, Cl). We report about the synthesis of the precursors, their transformation into halogene-containing ZnO materials, and finally structural, optical and electronic properties are investigated using a combination of techniques including FT-Raman, low-T photoluminescence, impedance and THz spectroscopies.

One-step synthesis of metal sulfide/tellurium composites with distinct microstructures

Microsphere flower- and mushroom-shaped metal sulfide/tellurium composites were synthesized through a one-step and template-free approach in which the simultaneous formation of tellurium and NiS (or CdS) leads to well-dispersed composites. The development of such distinct microstructures has been systematically investigated as a function of reaction temperature, concentrations of the starting reagents, and reaction time. Characterizations with scanning and transmitting electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermal gravimetric methods illustrate that the as-obtained metal sulfides exist in different phases in the composites. CdS was found to present as cubic sphalerite-type cadmium sulfide crystals, whereas NiS was in the amorphous form. Photo-excitation and emission property of the NiS/Te composite was also examined.

A novel and functional single-layer sheet of ZnSe

The recently synthesized freestanding four-atom-thick double-layer sheet of ZnSe holds great promise as an ultraflexible and transparent photoelectrode material for solar water splitting. In this work, we report theoretical studies on a novel three-atom-thick single-layer sheet of ZnSe that demonstrates a strong quantum confinement effect by exhibiting a large enhancement of the band gap (2.0 eV) relative to the zinc blende (ZB) bulk phase. Theoretical optical absorbance shows that the largest absorption of this ultrathin single-layer sheet of ZnSe occurs at a wavelength similar to its four-atom-thick double-layer counterpart, suggesting a comparable behavior on incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency for solar water splitting, among a wealth of potential applications. The results presented herein for ZnSe may be generalized to other group II-VI analogues.

Polymer and surfactant-templated synthesis of hollow and porous ZnS nano- and microspheres in a spray pyrolysis reactor

Nanostructured zinc sulfide can provide unique photonic, electronic, and catalytic properties that are of interest for applications ranging from bioimaging to photocatalysis. Here we report an easily controllable continuous method to produce porous and hollow ZnS nano- and microspheres. We used poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether (PEG), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymer (Pluronic F-38), and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as templates to synthesize ZnS nano- and microspheres with controlled internal morphology in a spray pyrolysis process, starting from an aqueous solution of chemical precursors and templating agents. Spherical particles were produced by droplet-to-particle conversion of droplets. Zinc acetate and thiourea, used here as precursors for ZnS, react in solution to form bis-thiourea zinc acetate (BTZA), which precipitates with the evaporation of solvent. Upon further heating, BTZA decomposes to yield ZnS. During solvent evaporation, PEG and Pluronic precipitate after BTZA, driving formation of a shell of ZnS and a hollow core. In contrast, PVP and CTAB interact strongly with BTZA and ZnS, such that the PVP and ZnS remain intermixed. After evaporation of solvent, the templating agents can be pyrolyzed at high temperature to leave behind porous or hollow ZnS microspheres composed of many much smaller nanocrystals.

Self-catalyzed growth of large-area nanofilms of two-dimensional carbon

The graphdiyne (GD), a carbon allotrope with a 2D structure comprising benzene rings and carbon–carbon triple bonds, can be synthesized through cross-coupling on the surface of copper foil. The key problem is in understanding the dependence of layers number and properties, however, the controlled growth of the layers numbers of GD film have not been demonstrated, its controlled growth into large-area and high ordered films with different numbers of layers is still an important challenge. Here, we show that a new strategy for synthesizing GD films with 2D nanostructures on ZnO nanorod arrays through a combination of reduction and a self-catalyzed vapor–liquid–solid growth process, using GD powder as the vapor source and ZnO nanorod arrays as the substrate. HRTEM shows the distance between pairs of streaks being approximately 0.365 nm by different thicknesses of GD films. The approach enables us to construct large-area ordered semiconductive films with high-quality surfaces showing high conductivity (up to 2800 S cm⁻¹). FETs were fabricated based on the well ordered films; we prepared and measured over 100 devices. Devices incorporating these well-ordered and highly conductive GD films exhibited field-effect mobility as high as 100 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹.

One-dimensional CdS nanowires–CeO2 nanoparticles composites with boosted photocatalytic activity

The one-dimensional CdS nanowires–CeO₂ nanoparticles composites exhibit enhanced visible-light-driven photoactivity toward selective reduction of nitroaromatics and water splitting to hydrogen.

Single-step synthesis and catalytic activity of structure-controlled nickel sulfide nanoparticles

Nanoparticle single-phase nickel sulfides such as NiS, NiS₂, Ni₃S₄, and Ni₇S₆ were prepared from elemental sulfur and nickel nitrate hexahydrate, using a temperature-controlled precursor injection method.

Coating and enhanced photocurrent of vertically aligned zinc oxide nanowire arrays with metal sulfide materials

Hybrid nanostructures combining zinc oxide (ZnO) and a metal sulfide (MS) semiconductor are highly important for energy-related applications. Controlled filling and coating of vertically aligned ZnO nanowire arrays with different MS materials was achieved via the thermal decomposition approach of single-source precursors in the gas phase by using a simple atmospheric-pressure chemical vapor deposition system. Using different precursors allowed us to synthesize multicomponent structures such as nanowires coated with alloy shell or multishell structures. Herein, we present the synthesis and structural characterization of the different structures, as well as an electrochemical characterization and a photovoltaic response of the ZnO-CdS system, in which the resulting photocurrent upon illumination indicates charge separation at the interface.

Single crystalline wurtzite ZnO/zinc blende ZnS coaxial heterojunctions and hollow zinc blende ZnS nanotubes: synthesis, structural characterization and optical properties

Synthesis of ZnO/ZnS heterostructures under thermodynamic conditions generally results in the wurtzite (WZ) structure of the ZnS component because its WZ phase is thermodynamically more stable than its zinc blende (ZB) phase. In this report, we demonstrate for the first time the preparation of ZnO/ZnS coaxial nanocables composed of single crystalline ZB structured ZnS epitaxially grown on WZ ZnO via a two-step thermal evaporation method. The deposition temperature is believed to play a crucial role in determining the crystalline phase of ZnS. Through a systematic structural analysis, the ZnO core and the ZnS shell are found to have an orientation relationship of (0002)ZnO(WZ)//(002)ZnS(ZB) and [01-10]ZnO(WZ)//[2-20]ZnS(ZB). Observation of the coaxial nanocables in cross-section reveals the formation of voids between the ZnO core and the ZnS shell during the coating process, which is probably associated with the nanoscale Kirkendall effect known to result in porosity. Furthermore, by immersing the ZnO/ZnS nanocable heterojunctions in an acetic acid solution to etch away the inner ZnO cores, single crystalline ZnS nanotubes orientated along the [001] direction of the ZB structure were also achieved for the first time. Finally, optical properties of the hollow ZnS tubes were investigated and discussed in detail. We believe that our study could provide some insights into the controlled fabrication of one dimensional (1D) semiconductors with desired morphology, structure and composition at the nanoscale, and the synthesized WZ ZnO/ZB ZnS nanocables as well as ZB ZnS nanotubes could be ideal candidates for the study of optoelectronics based on II-VI semiconductors.

Tailoring light-matter coupling in semiconductor and hybrid-plasmonic nanowires

Understanding interactions between light and matter is central to many fields, providing invaluable insights into the nature of matter. In its own right, a greater understanding of light-matter coupling has allowed for the creation of tailored applications, resulting in a variety of devices such as lasers, switches, sensors, modulators, and detectors. Reduction of optical mode volume is crucial to enhancing light-matter coupling strength, and among solid-state systems, self-assembled semiconductor and hybrid-plasmonic nanowires are amenable to creation of highly-confined optical modes. Following development of unique spectroscopic techniques designed for the nanowire morphology, carefully engineered semiconductor nanowire cavities have recently been tailored to enhance light-matter coupling strength in a manner previously seen in optical microcavities. Much smaller mode volumes in tailored hybrid-plasmonic nanowires have recently allowed for similar breakthroughs, resulting in sub-picosecond excited-state lifetimes and exceptionally high radiative rate enhancement. Here, we review literature on light-matter interactions in semiconductor and hybrid-plasmonic monolithic nanowire optical cavities to highlight recent progress made in tailoring light-matter coupling strengths. Beginning with a discussion of relevant concepts from optical physics, we will discuss how our knowledge of light-matter coupling has evolved with our ability to produce ever-shrinking optical mode volumes, shifting focus from bulk materials to optical microcavities, before moving on to recent results obtained from semiconducting nanowires.

Nanostructures: a platform for brain repair and augmentation

Nanoscale structures have been at the core of research efforts dealing with integration of nanotechnology into novel electronic devices for the last decade. Because the size of nanomaterials is of the same order of magnitude as biomolecules, these materials are valuable tools for nanoscale manipulation in a broad range of neurobiological systems. For instance, the unique electrical and optical properties of nanowires, nanotubes, and nanocables with vertical orientation, assembled in nanoscale arrays, have been used in many device applications such as sensors that hold the potential to augment brain functions. However, the challenge in creating nanowires/nanotubes or nanocables array-based sensors lies in making individual electrical connections fitting both the features of the brain and of the nanostructures. This review discusses two of the most important applications of nanostructures in neuroscience. First, the current approaches to create nanowires and nanocable structures are reviewed to critically evaluate their potential for developing unique nanostructure based sensors to improve recording and device performance to reduce noise and the detrimental effect of the interface on the tissue. Second, the implementation of nanomaterials in neurobiological and medical applications will be considered from the brain augmentation perspective. Novel applications for diagnosis and treatment of brain diseases such as multiple sclerosis, meningitis, stroke, epilepsy, Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, and autism will be considered. Because the blood brain barrier (BBB) has a defensive mechanism in preventing nanomaterials arrival to the brain, various strategies to help them to pass through the BBB will be discussed. Finally, the implementation of nanomaterials in neurobiological applications is addressed from the brain repair/augmentation perspective. These nanostructures at the interface between nanotechnology and neuroscience will play a pivotal role not only in addressing the multitude of brain disorders but also to repair or augment brain functions.