title: Shape-Controlled Narrow-Gap SnTe Nanostructures: From Nanocubes to Nanorods and Nanowires.
abstract: The rational design and synthesis of narrow-gap colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) is an important step toward the next generation of solution-processable photovoltaics, photodetectors, and thermoelectric devices. SnTe NCs are particularly attractive as a Pb-free alternative to NCs of narrow-gap lead chalcogenides. Previous synthetic efforts on SnTe NCs have focused on spherical nanoparticles. Here we report new strategies for synthesis of SnTe NCs with shapes tunable from highly monodisperse nanocubes, to nanorods (NRs) with variable aspect ratios, and finally to long, straight nanowires (NWs). Reaction at high temperature quickly forms thermodynamically favored nanocubes, but low temperatures lead to elongated particles. Transmission electron microscopy studies of reaction products at various stages of the synthesis reveal that the growth and shape-focusing of monodisperse SnTe nanocubes likely involves interparticle ripening, while directional growth of NRs and NWs may be initiated by particle dimerization via oriented attachment.
authors.affiliation: Center for Advanced Solar Photophysics, Chemistry Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory , Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States.
authors.forename: Shaojun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Guo
authors.affiliation: Center for Advanced Solar Photophysics, Chemistry Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory , Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States.
authors.forename: Andrew F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Fidler
authors.affiliation: Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory , Upton, New York 11973, United States.
authors.forename: Kai
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: He
authors.affiliation: Center for Functional Nanomaterials, Brookhaven National Laboratory , Upton, New York 11973, United States.
authors.forename: Dong
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical and Materials Engineering, New Mexico State University , Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003, United States.
authors.forename: Gen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Center for Advanced Solar Photophysics, Chemistry Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory , Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States.
authors.forename: Qianglu
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Center for Advanced Solar Photophysics, Chemistry Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory , Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States.
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pietryga
authors.affiliation: Center for Advanced Solar Photophysics, Chemistry Division, Los Alamos National Laboratory , Los Alamos, New Mexico 87545, United States.
authors.forename: Victor I
authors.initials: VI
authors.lastname: Klimov