(339m) Formation of ZnSe and ZnTe Nanocrystals by Ultrasonic-Assisted Aerosol Spray Pyrolysis

Colloidal monodisperse ZnSe nanospheres consisted of primary ZnSe nanocrystals and one-dimensional (1-D) ZnTe nanocrystals such as nanorods, nanowires, and nanobundles were prepared by aerosol spray pyrolysis with ultrasonic nebulization. TEM image shows that average diameter of ZnSe nanospheres is 41 nm and primary ZnSe nanocrystals have a size of 2-3 nm. XRD pattern of ZnSe nanoparticles shows that the crystal structure is zinc blende. The shape evolution of ZnTe nanocrystals from nanodots to nanowires was achieved by controlling the reaction temperature ranging from 300 to 500 oC. 1-D ZnTe nanocrystals with zinc blende structure were formed from the linear aggregation by oriented attachment of ZnTe primary nanocrystals due to insufficient surface capping of surfactant molecules and strong dipole-dipole interaction of nanocrystals, followed by reorganization of linear ZnTe aggregates at high reaction temperatures.