Synthesis and size-dependent properties of zinc-blende semiconductor quantum rods.
Dimensionality and size are two factors that govern the properties of semiconductor nanostructures. In nanocrystals, dimensionality is manifested by the control of shape, which presents a key challenge for synthesis. So far, the growth of rod-shaped nanocrystals using a surfactant-controlled growth mode, has been limited to semiconductors with wurtzite crystal structures, such as CdSe (ref. 3). Here, we report on a general method for the growth of soluble nanorods applied to semiconductors with the zinc-blende cubic lattice structure. InAs quantum rods with controlled lengths and diameters were synthesized using the solution-liquid-solid mechanism with gold nanocrystals as catalysts. This provides an unexpected link between two successful strategies for growing high-quality nanomaterials, the vapour-liquid-solid approach for growing nanowires, and the colloidal approach for synthesizing soluble nanocrystals. The rods exhibit both length- and shape-dependent optical properties, manifested in a red-shift of the bandgap with increased length, and in the observation of polarized emission covering the near-infrared spectral range relevant for telecommunications devices.
Kan
Shihai
S
Institute of Chemistry, Farkas Center for Light Induced Processes and the Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel.
Mokari
Taleb
T
Rothenberg
Eli
E
Banin
Uri
U
D001128:Argon / Q000737:chemistry; D018360:Crystallography, X-Ray; D006046:Gold / Q000737:chemistry; D008420:Manufactured Materials; D036103:Nanotechnology; D055095:Optics and Photonics; D012666:Semiconductors; D015032:Zinc / Q000737:chemistry*
D001128:Argon; D006046:Gold; D015032:Zinc