Controlled growth of highly ordered CdSe one-dimensional nanostructures

Abstract

Controlled growth of CdSe nanoneedles and nanorods was realized in a metal–organic chemical vapour deposition system by employing sputtered Au as a catalyst. The controls over the morphology, density and structure of the nanostructures were realized by varying the growth parameters independently. By varying the growth temperature, the morphology of the CdSe structures can be changed from tapered nanoneedles to uniform nanorods. Their density can also be controlled by just changing the amount of deposited Au. The changes in morphology and density were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy show that the tapered nanoneedles crystallize in the zinc-blende structure with the growth direction along , and the uniform nanorods in the wurtzite structure with the growth direction along .