Growth and characterization of micro and nanostructures of lead telluride (PbTe) by thermal evaporationmethod

Lead telluride micro and nanostructures have been grown on silicon and glass substrates by a simple thermal evaporation of PbTe in high vacuum of 3×10−5 mbar. Growth was carried out for two different distances between the evaporation source and the substrates. Synthesized products consist of nanorods and micro towers for 2.4 cm and 3.4 cm of distance between the evaporation source and the substrates respectively. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy studies confirmed crystalline nature of the nanorods and micro towers. Nanorods were grown by vapor solid mechanism. Each micro tower consists of nano platelets and is capped with spherical catalyst particle at their end, suggesting that the growth proceeds via vapor–liquid–solid (VLS) mechanism. EDS spectrum recorded on the tip of the micro tower has shown the presence of Pb and Te confirming the self catalytic VLS growth of the micro towers. These results open up novel synthesis methods for PbTe nano and microstructures for various applications.

Graphical AbstractFigure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Growth of PbTe nano and microstructures by thermal evaporation.
► Grown micro and nanostructures were pure and crystalline.
► Growth of microstructures proceeds self catalytic VLS mode.
► Growth of nanorods follows VS mechanism.
► Growth of micro and nanostructures were substrate independent.