Structure and growth mechanism of ZnSe nanowires

ZnSe nanowires were grown onto Mo transmission electron microscopy (TEM) grids by MBE by suitably varying the growth parameters. In situ and high-resolution TEM studies were carried out to understand the structure, defects, and growth mechanism of this nanowire. The nanowire morphology is very sensitive to the growth parameters involved. Twin boundaries are the most commonly occurring defects in the nanowires grown under Zn-rich condition and catalytic gold particles of irregular shape are observed along the nanowire body. In the course of in situ heating the shape of the nanowire tip is observed to change at ∼178°C. Definite growth of the nanowire starts at ∼235°C. The diameter of the grown nanowire is almost equal to that of the catalyst gold particle present at the tip of the nanowire. In situ experimental observation and available phase-diagram information strongly suggests that nanowire growth should be possible with a solid catalyst particle though it does not rule out the possibility of the existence of a VLS mechanism. © 2008 American Institute of Physics.