Topotaxial mutual-exchange growth of magnetic Zintl Eu3In2As4 nanowires with axion insulator classification

Due to quasi-one-dimensional confinement, nanowires possess unique electronic properties, which can promote specific device architectures. However, nanowire growth presents paramount challenges, limiting the accessible crystal structures and elemental compositions. Here we demonstrate solid-state topotactic exchange that converts wurtzite InAs nanowires into Zintl Eu3In2As4. Molecular-beam-epitaxy-based in situ evaporation of Eu and As onto InAs nanowires results in the mutual exchange of Eu from the shell and In from the core. Therefore, a single-phase Eu3In2As4 shell grows, which gradually consumes the InAs core. The mutual exchange is supported by the substructure of the As matrix, which is similar across the wurtzite InAs and Zintl Eu3In2As4 and therefore is topotactic. The Eu3In2As4 nanowires undergo an antiferromagnetic transition at a Néel temperature of ~6.5 K. Ab initio calculations confirm the antiferromagnetic ground state and classify Eu3In2As4 as a C2T axion insulator, hosting both chiral hinge modes and unpinned Dirac surface states. The topotactic mutual-exchange nanowire growth will, thus, enable the exploration of intricate magneto-topological states in Eu3In2As4 and potentially in other exotic compounds.

Oxide- and Silicate-Water Interfaces and Their Roles in Technology and the Environment

Interfacial reactions drive all elemental cycling on Earth and play pivotal roles in human activities such as agriculture, water purification, energy production and storage, environmental contaminant remediation, and nuclear waste repository management. The onset of the 21st century marked the beginning of a more detailed understanding of mineral aqueous interfaces enabled by advances in techniques that use tunable high-flux focused ultrafast laser and X-ray sources to provide near-atomic measurement resolution, as well as by nanofabrication approaches that enable transmission electron microscopy in a liquid cell. This leap into atomic- and nanometer-scale measurements has uncovered scale-dependent phenomena whose reaction thermodynamics, kinetics, and pathways deviate from previous observations made on larger systems. A second key advance is new experimental evidence for what scientists hypothesized but could not test previously, namely, interfacial chemical reactions are frequently driven by "anomalies" or "non-idealities" such as defects, nanoconfinement, and other nontypical chemical structures. Third, progress in computational chemistry has yielded new insights that allow a move beyond simple schematics, leading to a molecular model of these complex interfaces. In combination with surface-sensitive measurements, we have gained knowledge of the interfacial structure and dynamics, including the underlying solid surface and the immediately adjacent water and aqueous ions, enabling a better definition of what constitutes the oxide- and silicate-water interfaces. This critical review discusses how science progresses from understanding ideal solid-water interfaces to more realistic systems, focusing on accomplishments in the last 20 years and identifying challenges and future opportunities for the community to address. We anticipate that the next 20 years will focus on understanding and predicting dynamic transient and reactive structures over greater spatial and temporal ranges as well as systems of greater structural and chemical complexity. Closer collaborations of theoretical and experimental experts across disciplines will continue to be critical to achieving this great aspiration.

Nanoparticle Assembly and Oriented Attachment: Correlating Controlling Factors to the Resulting Structures

Nanoparticle assembly and attachment are common pathways of crystal growth by which particles organize into larger scale materials with hierarchical structure and long-range order. In particular, oriented attachment (OA), which is a special type of particle assembly, has attracted great attention in recent years because of the wide range of material structures that result from this process, such as one-dimensional (1D) nanowires, two-dimensional (2D) sheets, three-dimensional (3D) branched structures, twinned crystals, defects, etc. Utilizing in situ transmission electron microscopy techniques, researchers observed orientation-specific forces that act over short distances (∼1 nm) from the particle surfaces and drive the OA process. Integrating recently developed 3D fast force mapping via atomic force microscopy with theories and simulations, researchers have resolved the near-surface solution structure, the molecular details of charge states at particle/fluid interfaces, inhomogeneity of surface charges, and dielectric/magnetic properties of particles that influence short- and long-range forces, such as electrostatic, van der Waals, hydration, and dipole-dipole forces. In this review, we discuss the fundamental principles for understanding particle assembly and attachment processes, and the controlling factors and resulting structures. We review recent progress in the field via examples of both experiments and modeling, and discuss current developments and the future outlook.

Electronic Structure and Excited State Dynamics of Cadmium Chalcogenide Nanorods

The cylindrical quasi-one-dimensional shape of colloidal semiconductor nanorods (NRs) gives them unique electronic structure and optical properties. In addition to the band gap tunability common to nanocrystals, NRs have polarized light absorption and emission and high molar absorptivities. NR-shaped heterostructures feature control of electron and hole locations as well as light emission energy and efficiency. We comprehensively review the electronic structure and optical properties of Cd-chalcogenide NRs and NR heterostructures (e.g., CdSe/CdS dot-in-rods, CdSe/ZnS rod-in-rods), which have been widely investigated over the last two decades due in part to promising optoelectronic applications. We start by describing methods for synthesizing these colloidal NRs. We then detail the electronic structure of single-component and heterostructure NRs and follow with a discussion of light absorption and emission in these materials. Next, we describe the excited state dynamics of these NRs, including carrier cooling, carrier and exciton migration, radiative and nonradiative recombination, multiexciton generation and dynamics, and processes that involve trapped carriers. Finally, we describe charge transfer from photoexcited NRs and connect the dynamics of these processes with light-driven chemistry. We end with an outlook that highlights some of the outstanding questions about the excited state properties of Cd-chalcogenide NRs.

Assembly-based pathways of crystallization

Solution crystallization of materials ranging from simple salts to complex supramolecular assemblies has long been viewed through the lens of classical nucleation and growth theories in which monomeric building blocks...

Laser-Driven Growth of Semiconductor Nanowires from Colloidal Nanocrystals

Semiconductor nanowire production through vapor- and solution-based processes has propelled nanowire systems toward a wide range of technological applications. Although vapor-based nanowire syntheses enable precise control over nanowire composition and phase, they typically employ batch processes with specialized pressure management systems, limiting throughput. Solution-based nanowire growth processes have improved scalability but can require even more extensive pressure and temperature management systems. Here, we demonstrate a solution-based nanowire growth process that utilizes the large Young-Laplace interfacial surface pressures and collective heating effects of colloidal metal nanocrystals under irradiation to drive nanowire growth photothermally. Laser irradiation of a solution containing metal nanocrystals and semiconductor precursors facilitates rapid heating, precursor decomposition, and nanowire growth on a benchtop in simple glassware under standard conditions, potentially enabling a range of solution-based experiments including in-line combinatorial identification of optimized reaction parameters, in situ measurements, and the production of nanowires with complex compositions.

Colloidal CdxM1-xTe Nanowires from the Visible to the Near Infrared Region: N,N-Dimethylformamide-Mediated Precise Cation Exchange

Cation exchange has been a successful methodology for tuning the bandgaps of nanomaterials, while the most popular protocol in the toluene/methanol system lacks precise compositional control due to its inherent poor solvent compatibility. We herein report an alternative cation exchange route in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent for converting preformed colloidal CdTe nanowires into Cd_xM_1-xTe (M = Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Ag⁺, Hg²⁺) nanowires with good batch-to-batch reproducibility. The resulting Cd_xM_1-xTe nanowires show a tunable bandgap from 2.26 to 0.63 eV, and the energy levels of these nanowires can be finely tuned. Furthermore, a comparative study for the cation exchange of CdTe nanowires with Pb²⁺ ions in toluene/methanol and DMF illustrated that the reduction of Cd²⁺ extraction and the Pb²⁺ introduction barrier accounts for precise compositional control. The cation exchange reaction in the DMF phase provides an efficient way to obtain nanomaterials with precise composition control. Moreover, these available high-quality colloidal semiconductor nanowires also pave the way for near-infrared device exploration.

Revisiting the Growth Mechanism of Hierarchical Semiconductor Nanostructures: The Role of Secondary Nucleation in Branch Formation

Although there have been advances in synthesizing hierarchical semiconductor materials,  few studies have investigated the fundamental nucleation mechanisms to explain the origins of such complex structures. Resolving these nucleation and growth pathways is technically challenging but  critical for developing predictive synthetic capabilities for the synthesis and application of new materials. In this Letter, we use state-of-the-art in situ liquid phase scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy in a combination with classical density functional theory (cDFT) to study the nucleation of highly branched wurtzite ZnO nanostructures via a facile, room-temperature aqueous synthesis route. Using a range of precursor concentrations, we systematically vary the hierarchical organization of these nanostructures. In situ liquid phase SEM demonstrates that all branches form through secondary nucleation and grow by classical processes. Neither random aggregation nor oriented attachment is observed. cDFT results imply that the morphological evolution with increasing [Zn²⁺] arises from an interplay between a rising thermodynamic driving force, which promotes branch number and variability of orientation, and increasing barriers to interfacial transport due to ion correlation forces that alter the anisotropic kinetics of growth. These findings provide a quantitative picture of branching that sets to rest past controversies and advances efforts to decipher growth mechanisms of hierarchical structures in real solution environments.

Barium titanate at the nanoscale: controlled synthesis and dielectric and ferroelectric properties

The current trend in the miniaturization of electronic devices has driven the investigation into many nanostructured materials. The ferroelectric material barium titanate (BaTiO3) has garnered considerable attention over the past decade owing to its excellent dielectric and ferroelectric properties. This has led to significant progress in synthetic techniques that yield high quality BaTiO3 nanocrystals (NCs) with well-defined morphologies (e.g., nanoparticles, nanorods, nanocubes and nanowires) and controlled crystal phases (e.g., cubic, tetragonal and multi-phase). The ability to produce nanoscale BaTiO3 with controlled properties enables theoretical and experimental studies on the intriguing yet complex dielectric properties of individual BaTiO3 NCs as well as BaTiO3/polymer nanocomposites. Compared with polymer-free individual BaTiO3 NCs, BaTiO3/polymer nanocomposites possess several advantages. The polymeric component enables simple solution processibility, high breakdown strength and light weight for device scalability. The BaTiO3 component enables a high dielectric constant. In this review, we highlight recent advances in the synthesis of high-quality BaTiO3 NCs via a variety of chemical approaches including organometallic, solvothermal/hydrothermal, templating, molten salt, and sol-gel methods. We also summarize the dielectric and ferroelectric properties of individual BaTiO3 NCs and devices based on BaTiO3 NCs via theoretical modeling and experimental piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) studies. In addition, viable synthetic strategies for novel BaTiO3/polymer nanocomposites and their structure-composition-performance relationship are discussed. Lastly, a perspective on the future direction of nanostructured BaTiO3-based materials is presented.

Solution-Liquid-Solid Growth of CuInTe2 and CuInSe xTe2- x Semiconductor Nanowires

Ternary CuInTe₂ and quaternary CuInSe _xTe_{2- x} nanowires were successfully synthesized for the first time by a solution-liquid-solid (SLS) mechanism. Crystalline, straight, and nearly stoichiometric CuInTe₂ and CuInSe _xTe_{2- x} nanowires were readily achieved by using the molecular precursors and in the presence of molten Bi nanoparticles and coordinating capping ligands. The temperature and reactant order-of-addition of this reaction strongly affected the composition of the reaction product and the morphology obtained. These CuInTe₂ and CuInSe _xTe_{2- x} nanowires are outstanding light absorbers from the near-IR through the visible and ultraviolet spectral regions and, thereby, comprise new soluble and machinable "building blocks" for applications in solar-light utilization.

Engineered Solution-Liquid-Solid Growth of a "Treelike" 1D/1D TiO2 Nanotube-CdSe Nanowire Heterostructure: Photoelectrochemical Conversion of Broad Spectrum of Solar Energy

This work presents a hitherto unreported approach to assemble a 1D oxide-1D chalcogenide heterostructured photoactive film. As a representative system, bismuth (Bi) catalyzed 1D CdSe nanowires are directly grown on anodized 1D TiO₂ nanotube (T_NT). A combination of the reductive successive-ionic-layer-adsorption-reaction (R-SILAR) and the solution-liquid-solid (S-L-S) approach is implemented to fabricate this heterostructured assembly, reported in this 1D/1D form for the first time. XRD, SEM, HRTEM, and elemental mapping are performed to systematically characterize the deposition of bismuth on T_NT and the growth of CdSe nanowires leading to the evolution of the 1D/1D heterostructure. The resulting "treelike" photoactive architecture demonstrates UV-visible light-driven electron-hole pair generation. The photoelectrochemical results highlight: (i) the formation of a stable n-n heterojunction between TiO₂ nanotube and CdSe nanowire, (ii) an excellent correlation between the absorbance vis-à-vis light conversion efficiency (IPCE), and (iii) a photocurrent density of 3.84 mA/cm². This proof-of-concept features the viability of the approach for designing such complex 1D/1D oxide-chalcogenide heterostructures that can be of interest to photovoltaics, photocatalysis, environmental remediation, and sensing.

Dimensional crossover in semiconductor nanostructures

Recent advances in semiconductor nanostructure syntheses provide unprecedented control over electronic quantum confinement and have led to extensive investigations of their size- and shape-dependent optical/electrical properties. Notably, spectroscopic measurements show that optical bandgaps of one-dimensional CdSe nanowires are substantially (approximately 100 meV) lower than their zero-dimensional counterparts for equivalent diameters spanning 5–10 nm. But what, exactly, dictates the dimensional crossover of a semiconductor's electronic structure? Here we probe the one-dimensional to zero-dimensional transition of CdSe using single nanowire/nanorod absorption spectroscopy. We find that carrier electrostatic interactions play a fundamental role in establishing dimensional crossover. Moreover, the critical length at which this transition occurs is governed by the aspect ratio-dependent interplay between carrier confinement and dielectric contrast/confinement energies.

Nanostructured materials offer a route to tuning the bandgap of a semiconductor. Here, the authors use single particle absorption spectroscopy to investigate bandgap evolution between cadmium selenide nanowires and quantum dots and identify the length at which a nanorod becomes zero-dimensional.

Cu1.94S-Assisted Growth of Wurtzite CuInS2 Nanoleaves by In Situ Copper Sulfidation

Wurtzite CuInS2 nanoleaves were synthesized by Cu1.94S-assisted growth. By observing the evolution of structures and phases during the growth process, Cu1.94S nanocrystals were found to be formed after uninterrupted oxidation and sulfidation of copper nanoparticles at the early stage, serving as catalysts to introduce the Cu and In species into CuInS2 nanoleaves growth for inherent property of fast ionic conductor. The obtained CuInS2 nanoleaves were characterized by scanning transmission electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, fast Fourier transform, X-ray diffraction, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy mapping. The enhancement of photoresponsive current of CuInS2 nanoleaf film, evaluated by I-V curves of nanoleaf film, is believed to be attributed to the fast carrier transport benefit from the nature of single crystalline of CuInS2 nanoleaves.

Imaging nano-objects by linear and nonlinear optical absorption microscopies

Absorption based microscopy measurements are emerging as important tools for studying nanomaterials. This review discusses the three most common techniques for performing these experiments: transient absorption microscopy, photothermal heterodyne imaging, and spatial modulation spectroscopy. The focus is on the application of these techniques to imaging and detection, using examples taken from the authors' laboratory. The advantages and disadvantages of the three methods are discussed, with an emphasis on the unique information that can be obtained from these experiments, in comparison to conventional emission or scattering based microscopy experiments.

CRYSTAL GROWTH. Crystallization by particle attachment in synthetic, biogenic, and geologic environments

Field and laboratory observations show that crystals commonly form by the addition and attachment of particles that range from multi-ion complexes to fully formed nanoparticles. The particles involved in these nonclassical pathways to crystallization are diverse, in contrast to classical models that consider only the addition of monomeric chemical species. We review progress toward understanding crystal growth by particle-attachment processes and show that multiple pathways result from the interplay of free-energy landscapes and reaction dynamics. Much remains unknown about the fundamental aspects, particularly the relationships between solution structure, interfacial forces, and particle motion. Developing a predictive description that connects molecular details to ensemble behavior will require revisiting long-standing interpretations of crystal formation in synthetic systems, biominerals, and patterns of mineralization in natural environments.

CdSeS Nanowires: Compositionally Controlled Band Gap and Exciton Dynamics

CdS, CdSe, and ternary CdSexS(1-x) are some of the most widely studied II-VI semiconductors due to their broad range of applications and promising performance in numerous systems. One-dimensional semiconductor nanowires offer the ability to conduct charges efficiently along the length of the wire, which has potential charge transport benefits compared to nanoparticles. Herein, we report a simple, inexpensive synthetic procedure for high quality CdSeS nanowires where the composition can be easily modulated from pure CdSe to pure CdS by simply adjusting the Se:S precursor ratio. This allows for tuning of the absorption and emission properties of the nanowires across the visible spectrum. The CdSeS nanowires have a wurtzite crystal structure and grow along the [001] direction. As measured by femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, the short component of the excited state lifetime remains relatively constant at ∼10 ps with increasing Se; however, the contribution of this short lifetime component increased dramatically from 8.4% to 57.7% with increasing Se content. These CdSeS nanowires offer facile synthesis and widely adjustable optical properties, characteristics that give them broad potential applications in the fields of optoelectronics, and photovoltaics.

Nanowire-functionalized cotton textiles

We show the general functionalization of cotton fabrics using solution-synthesized CdSe and CdTe nanowires (NWs). Conformal coatings onto individual cotton fibers have been achieved through various physical and chemical approaches. Some involve the electrostatic attraction of NWs to cotton charged positively with a Van de Graaff generator or via 2,3-epoxypropyltrimethylammonium chloride treatments. Resulting NW-functionalized textiles consist of dense, conformal coatings and have been characterized for their UV-visible absorption as well as Raman activity. We demonstrate potential uses of these functionalized textiles through two proof-of-concept applications. The first entails barcoding cotton using the unique Raman signature of the NWs. We also demonstrate the surface-enhancement of their Raman signatures using codeposited Au. A second demonstration takes advantage of the photoconductive nature of semiconductor NWs to create cotton-based photodetectors. Apart from these illustrations, NW-functionalized cotton textiles may possess other uses in the realm of medical, anticounterfeiting, and photocatalytic applications.

Supercontinuum spatial modulation spectroscopy: detection and noise limitations

Supercontinuum spatial modulation spectroscopy is a facile tool for conducting single molecule/particle extinction spectroscopy throughout the visible and near infrared (420-1100 nm). The technique's capabilities are benchmarked using individual Au nanoparticles (NPs) as a standard since they are well studied and display a prominent plasmon resonance in the visible. Extinction spectra of individual Au NPs with diameters (d) ranging from d ~ 8 to 40 nm are resolved with extinction cross sections (σ(ext)) of σ(ext) ~ 1 × 10(-13)-1 × 10(-11) cm(2). Corresponding signal-to-noise ratios range from ~30 to ~1400. The technique's limit of detection is determined to be 4.3 × 10(-14) cm(2) (4.3 nm(2)). To showcase supercontinuum spatial modulation spectroscopy's broader applicability, extinction spectra are acquired for other model systems, such as individual single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and CdSe nanowires. We show for the first time extinction spectra of individual (8,3) and (6,5) SWCNTs. For both chiralities, their E11 [(8,3) 1.30 eV (952 nm); (6,5) 1.26 eV (986 nm)] and E22 [(8,3) 1.86 eV (667 nm); (6,5) 2.19 eV (567 nm)] excitonic resonances are seen with corresponding cross sections of σ(ext) ~ 10(-13) cm(2) μm(-1).

Solution-based synthesis of wurtzite Cu2ZnSnS4 nanoleaves introduced by α-Cu2S nanocrystals as a catalyst

Cu2ZnSnS4 is a promising solar absorbing material in solar cells due to its high absorption coefficient and abundance on earth. We have demonstrated that wurtzite Cu2ZnSnS4 nanoleaves could be synthesized through a facile solution-based method. Detailed investigation of the growth process indicates that α-Cu2S nanocrystals are first formed and then serve as a catalyst to introduce the Cu, Zn, and Sn species into the nanoleaf growth for fast ionic conduction. The structure of the as-synthesized nanoleaves is characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, fast Fourier transform, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy mapping. Photoresponses of Cu2ZnSnS4 nanoleaves are evaluated by I-V curves of a Cu2ZnSnS4 nanoleaf film. It is believed that the enhancement of the photoresponse current of the Cu2ZnSnS4 nanoleaf film can be attributed to fast carrier transport due to the single crystalline nature and enhanced light absorption resulting from larger absorption areas of the Cu2ZnSnS4 nanoleaves.

Flow-based solution-liquid-solid nanowire synthesis

Discovered almost two decades ago, the solution-liquid-solid (SLS) method for semiconductor nanowire synthesis has proven to be an important route to high-quality, single-crystalline anisotropic nanomaterials. In execution, the SLS technique is similar to colloidal quantum-dot synthesis in that it entails the injection of chemical precursors into a hot surfactant solution, but mechanistically it is considered the solution-phase analogue to vapour-liquid-solid (VLS) growth. Both SLS and VLS methods make use of molten metal nanoparticles to catalyse the nucleation and elongation of single-crystalline nanowires. Significantly, however, the methods differ in how chemical precursors are introduced to the metal catalysts. In SLS, precursors are added in a one-off fashion in a flask, whereas in VLS they are carried by a flow of gas through the reaction chamber, and by-products are removed similarly. The ability to dynamically control the introduction of reactants and removal of by-products in VLS synthesis has enabled a degree of synthetic control not possible with SLS growth. We show here that SLS synthesis can be transformed into a continuous technique using a microfluidic reactor. The resulting flow-based SLS ('flow-SLS') platform allows us to slow down the synthesis of nanowires and capture mechanistic details concerning their growth in the solution phase, as well as synthesize technologically relevant axially heterostructured semiconductor nanowires, while maintaining the propensity of SLS for accessing ultrasmall diameters below 10 nm.

Broad spectral photocurrent enhancement in Au-decorated CdSe nanowires

Metal-semiconductor hybrid nanostructures promise improved photoconductive performance due to plasmonic properties of the metal portions and intrinsic electric fields at the metal-semiconductor interface that possibly enhance charge separation. Here we report gold decorated CdSe nanowires as a novel functional material and investigate the influence of gold decoration on the lateral facets on the photoconductive properties. Gold decorated nanowires show typically an at least ten-fold higher photocurrent as compared to their bare counterparts. Interestingly, the photocurrent enhancement is wavelength independent, although the plasmon resonance related to the gold particles appears in the absorption spectra. Our experiments show that light scattering and Schottky fields associated with the metal-semiconductor interface are at the origin of the photocurrent enhancement.

Self-catalytic solution-liquid-liquid-solid (SLLS) growth of tapered SnS nanorods

Taper-shaped SnS nanorods were synthesized via mild chemistry, and the self-catalytic solution-liquid-liquid-solid (SLLS) process was proposed as a crystal growth mechanism. There exists a distinct difference in our SLLS growth compared to the well-known SLS growth in that we injected Sn precursors into a hot trioctylphosphine sulfide (TOPS) solution, which is a reverse process of the general SLS growth. This reverse process could prevent the oxidation of Sn precursors and thus it could facilitate the growth of SnS nanorods, since the surface of Sn clusters and droplets could be momentarily passivated by TOPS molecules. Without addition of extra catalyst nanoparticles, the nucleation and growth of SnS nanorods was induced by liquid Sn droplets. Spherical Sn tips existing at the top of the nanorods evidence the self-catalytic growth. The SLLS growth was proposed based upon the large Sn clusters existing at the bottom of the SnS nanorods in an intermediate stage (5 s) of the growth and the tapered morphology of the nanorods. The growth of SnS nanorods could progress by the upward diffusion of Sn atoms from large liquid Sn clusters along the surface of the SnS nanorods to the interfacial liquid layers (neck area) and the diffusion of S decomposed from TOPS in the solution to the neck area. SnS nanorods showed a direct energy band gap of ∼1.6 eV, determined by using the Kubelka-Munk transformation of UV-visible spectra. This self-catalytic SLLS growth produced high-quality and single crystalline SnS nanorods within only 15 s at 290 °C.

Wurtzite CuInS₂ and CuInxGa₁-xS₂ nanoribbons: synthesis, optical and photoelectrical properties

Single crystalline wurtzite ternary and quaternary semiconductor nanoribbons (CuInS(2), CuIn(x)Ga(1-x)S(2)) were synthesized through a solution-based method. The structure and composition of the nanoribbons were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), the corresponding fast Fourier transform (FFT) and nanoscale-resolved elemental mapping. Detailed investigation of the growth mechanism by monitoring the structures and morphologies of the nanoribbons during the growth indicates that Cu(1.75)S nanocrystals are formed first and act as a catalyst for the further growth of the nanoribbons. The high mobility of Cu(+) promotes the generation of Cu(+) vacancies in Cu(1.75)S, which will facilitate the diffusion of Cu, In or Ga species from solution into Cu(1.75)S to reach supersaturated states. The supersaturated species in the Cu(1.75)S catalyst, Cu-In-S and Cu-In-Ga-S species, start to condense and crystallize to form wurtzite CuInS(2) or CuIn(x)Ga(1-x)S(2) phases, firstly resulting in two-sided nanoparticles. Successive crystallizations gradually impel the Cu(1.75)S catalyst head forward and prolong the length of the CuInS(2) or CuIn(x)Ga(1-x)S(2) body, forming heterostructured nanorods and thus nanoribbons. The optical band gaps of CuIn(x)Ga(1-x)S(2) nanoribbons can be continuously adjusted between 1.44 eV and 1.91 eV, depending on the Ga concentration in nanoribbons. The successful preparation of those ternary and quaternary semiconductor nanoribbons provide us an opportunity to study their photovoltaic properties. The primary photoresponsive current measurements demonstrate that wurtzite CuIn(x)Ga(1-x)S(2) nanoribbons are excellent photoactive materials. Furthermore, this facile method could open a new way to synthesize other various nano-structured ternary and quaternary semiconductors, such as CuInSe(2) and CuIn(x)Ga(1-x)Se(2), for applications in solar cells and other fields.

Molecular Chemistry to the Fore: New Insights into the Fascinating World of Photoactive Colloidal Semiconductor Nanocrystals

Colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals possess unique properties that are unmatched by other chromophores such as organic dyes or transition-metal complexes. These versatile building blocks have generated much scientific interest and found applications in bioimaging, tracking, lighting, lasing, photovoltaics, photocatalysis, thermoelectrics, and spintronics. Despite these advances, important challenges remain, notably how to produce semiconductor nanostructures with predetermined architecture, how to produce metastable semiconductor nanostructures that are hard to isolate by conventional syntheses, and how to control the degree of surface loading or valence per nanocrystal. Molecular chemists are very familiar with these issues and can use their expertise to help solve these challenges. In this Perspective, we present our group's recent work on bottom-up molecular control of nanoscale composition and morphology, low-temperature photochemical routes to semiconductor heterostructures and metastable phases, solar-to-chemical energy conversion with semiconductor-based photocatalysts, and controlled surface modification of colloidal semiconductors that bypasses ligand exchange.

Recent advances in the synthesis of colloidal nanowires

We review critically the advances in the synthesis of colloidal nanowires that have occurred over the past three years, with a focus on those that produced very thin (or “ultrathin”) nanowires (∼2–3 nm in diameter or less). We discuss the importance of these ultrathin nanowires, especially in light of the emerging evidence of their topological properties and their potential similarities with polymers.

Bright core-shell semiconductor quantum wires

Colloidal CdTe quantum wires are reported having ensemble photoluminescence efficiencies as high as 25% under low excitation-power densities. High photoluminescence efficiencies are achieved by formation of a monolayer CdS shell on the CdTe quantum wires. Like other semiconductor nanowires, the CdTe quantum wires may contain frequent wurtzite-zinc-blende structural alternations along their lengths. The present results demonstrate that the optical properties, emission-peak shape and photoluminescence efficiencies, are independent of the presence or absence of such structural alternations.

Electric field-induced emission enhancement and modulation in individual CdSe nanowires

CdSe nanowires show reversible emission intensity enhancements when subjected to electric field strengths ranging from 5 to 22 MV/m. Under alternating positive and negative biases, emission intensity modulation depths of 14 ± 7% are observed. Individual wires are studied by placing them in parallel plate capacitor-like structures and monitoring their emission intensities via single nanostructure microscopy. Observed emission sensitivities are rationalized by the field-induced modulation of carrier detrapping rates from NW defect sites responsible for nonradiative relaxation processes. The exclusion of these states from subsequent photophysics leads to observed photoluminescence quantum yield enhancements. We quantitatively explain the phenomenon by developing a kinetic model to account for field-induced variations of carrier detrapping rates. The observed phenomenon allows direct visualization of trap state behavior in individual CdSe nanowires and represents a first step toward developing new optical techniques that can probe defects in low-dimensional materials.

Exciton relaxation in PbSe nanorods

Measurements of the picosecond-time-scale dynamics of photoexcited electrons in PbSe nanorods are reported. The intraband (1Π → 1Σ) relaxation occurs with a time constant of ~500 fs, which corresponds to a fast energy-relaxation rate of ~0.6 eV/ps. The biexciton lifetime in PbSe nanorods is significantly (3-4 times) longer than the lifetime of PbSe quantum dots with the same energy gap, roughly as expected considering the increased volume. The multiexciton lifetimes of PbSe nanorods scale as expected for a bimolecular recombination mechanism. Implications of the observed relaxations will be discussed.

Bound 1D Excitons in Single CdSe Quantum Wires

Photogenerated electron-hole pairs are observed to be bound as 1D excitons in CdSe quantum wires (QWs) at room temperature. Microscopy experiments performed on dilute samples of CdSe QWs prepared on coverslips with patterned electrodes reveal that there is no change in either the overall photoluminescence (PL) intensity or the distribution of the PL intensity with the application of an external electric field. Changes in the PL intensity, and thus evidence for separate charge carriers within the QWs, are observed only for concentrated samples. In these concentrated samples, a thin film of other compounds, including trioctylphosphine oxide and a bismuth salt formed in the synthesis, is observed to encompass the QWs. The separate charge carriers that influence the PL intensity are attributed to the other compounds in the sample.

Direct Measurement of Single CdSe Nanowire Extinction Polarization Anisotropies

The origin of sizable absorption polarization anisotropies (ρabs) in one-dimensional (1D) semiconductor nanowires (NWs) has been debated. Invoked explanations employ either classical or quantum mechanical origins, where the classical approach suggests dielectric constant mismatches between the NW and its surrounding environment as the predominant source of observed polarization sensitivities. At the same time, the confinement-influenced mixing of states suggests a sizable contribution from polarization-sensitive transition selection rules. Sufficient evidence exists in the literature to support either claim. However, in all cases, these observations stem from excitation polarization anisotropy (ρexc) studies, which only indirectly measure ρabs. In this manuscript, we directly measure the band edge extinction polarization anisotropies (ρext) of individual CdSe NWs using single NW extinction spectroscopy. Observed polarization anisotropies possess distinct spectral features and wavelength dependencies that correlate well with theoretical transition selection rules derived from a six-band k·p theory used to model the electronic structure of CdSe NWs.

Controlled synthesis of compositionally tunable ternary PbSe(x)S(1-x) as well as binary PbSe and PbS nanowires

High-quality compositionally tunable ternary PbSe(x)S(1-x) (x = 0.23, 0.39, 0.49, 0.68, and 0.90) nanowires (NWs) and their binary analogues have been grown using solution-liquid-solid growth with lead(II) diethyldithiocarbamate, Pb(S(2)CNEt(2))(2), and lead(II) imido(bis(selenodiisopropylphosphinate)), Pb((SeP(i)Pr(2))(2)N)(2), as single-source precursors. The alloyed nature of PbSe(x)S(1-x) wires was confirmed using ensemble X-ray diffraction and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS). Single NW EDXS line scans taken along the length of individual wires show no compositional gradients. NW compositions were independently confirmed using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. Slight stoichiometric deviations occur but never exceed 13.3% of the expected composition, based on the amount of introduced precursor. In all cases, resulting nanowires have been characterized using transmission electron microscopy. Mean diameters are between 9 and 15 nm with accompanying lengths that range from 4 to 10 μm. Associated selected area electron diffraction patterns indicate that the PbSe(x)S(1-x), PbSe, and PbS NWs all possess the same <002> growth direction, with diffraction patterns consistent with an underlying rock salt crystal structure.

Synthesis and optical properties of II-VI 1D nanostructures

1D nanostructures from II-VI semiconductors have been demonstrated to exhibit outstanding optical properties with strong promise for novel optoelectronic devices with augmented performance and functionalities. Herein, we present a comprehensive review discussing important topics pertinent to the fundamental properties and applications of II-VI 1D nanostructures. With practical applications in mind, the considerations, principles and experimental techniques on the sample preparation of high quality 1D nanostructures are highlighted. Fundamentals on the optical properties of II-VI materials, along with relevant investigation techniques and recent progress in the field, are also extensively discussed. With the steady development of their synthesis, characterization and device fabrication, it is strongly expected that II-VI 1D nanostructures will assume a unique position in future technology.

Field-effect transistors fabricated from diluted magnetic semiconductor colloidal nanowires

Field-effect transistors (FETs) fabricated from undoped and Co(2+)-doped CdSe colloidal nanowires show typical n-channel transistor behaviour with gate effect. Exposed to microscope light, a 10 times current enhancement is observed in the doped nanowire-based devices due to the significant modification of the electronic structure of CdSe nanowires induced by Co(2+)-doping, which is revealed by theoretical calculations from spin-polarized plane-wave density functional theory.

Diameter scaling of the optical band gap in individual CdSe nanowires

The diameter dependence of the optical band gap of single CdSe nanowires (NWs) is investigated by a combination of atomic force microscopy, scanning fluorescence microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. We find a good congruence of the experimental data to calculations within the effective mass approximation taking into account quantization, exciton Coulomb interaction, and dielectric mismatch. The experimental data are furthermore compared to different theoretical approaches. We discuss the influence of alternating wurtzite and zinc blende segments along the NWs on their optical properties.