Chemical vapor phase synthesis and growth mechnism of one-dimensional ZnE(E=S, Se) reticular whiskers

The micron ZnE(E=S, Se) reticular whiskers were successfully synthesized by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method on silicon substrates using Zn and CuE(E=S, Se) micro-spheres as raw materials and adjuvant, respectively. The microstructures, composition, morphologies and crystal quality were characterized and analyzed by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photoluminescence (PL) spectrum. The results show that the as-synthesized products are ZnS and ZnSe micron-whiskers, both of which are of cubic zinc blende structure, with the length 300 μm, and the composition approach to ideal stoichiometry. Under the redox effects, the growth mechanism of ZnE micro-whiskers accords with vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) process, and the Cu₃Zn alloy is proved to play a key role, act as the real growth catalyst and assemble together, making ZnE micro-whiskers with cross and reticular structure during the growth process.