Directed growth of 1D cadmium sulfide by chemically anchored Al2O3 and ZnO nanoparticles

Cadmium sulfide nanowires were synthesized on in-situ generated alumina nanoparticles using a one pot hydrothermal method. As grown hexagonal-phase cadmium sulfide nanowires have diameters ranging from 40 to 50 nm. Mechanistic aspects reveal that the alumina template based growth of cadmium sulfide nanowires is due to the fact that S2− ions will preferably attach to the aluminum due to the Lewis acidic character of Al3+ (~ 0.5 on Brown's scale of average Lewis acid strength). To support the proposed mechanism, we have further shown the growth of cadmium sulfide nanowires on zinc ions having similar Lewis acidic strength.

Research Highlights► This is the first growth method reported wherein the Lewis acidic character of a substrate has been explored in a growth technique. ► This method provides a pathway to generate device configurations in a wet chemical route. ► The mechanistic aspects proposed would give scope for further research in the field of nanowire growth.