Catalytic and seeded shape-selective synthesis of II–VI semiconductor nanowires

We demonstrate catalytic and seeded shape-selective growth of CdSe nanostructures by a steady-state vapor-transport process. By varying the powder and sample temperatures, we observe a transition from a regime where catalytic growth is dominant to a metal-free self-induced nucleation regime. We then show that the best structural and optical quality are obtained by using CdSe colloidal nanocrystals as seeds for metal-free growth, as indicated by electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence.