Colloidal synthesis and characterization of CdSe/CdTe core/shell nanowire heterostructures

CdSe/CdTe core/shell nanowire heterostructures were synthesized not only in a noncoordinating octadecene (ODE) solvent but also in a coordinating tri-n-octylphosphine oxide (TOPO) solvent, using a relatively safe CdO as the Cd precursor instead of the highly toxic Cd(Me)2 by a colloidal approach. The polycrystalline CdTe shell was formed in the Volmer–Weber island mode, and its morphology was controlled by delicately adjusting the reaction parameters. The as-prepared core/shell nanowires were characterized by various electron microscopic techniques, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and corresponding elemental mapping, X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–vis spectroscopy and transient absorption spectroscopy.

► Colloidal synthesis of the CdSe/CdTe core/shell nanowire heterostructures.
► Not only in the noncoordinating solvent but also in the coordinating solvent.
► Using CdO as Cd precursor.
► Morphology of polycrystalline CdTe shell was controllably tuned.
► Shell was grown in the Volmer–Weber island mode.