Design, growth, and characterization of morphology-tunable CdxZn1-xS nanostructures generated by a one-step thermal evaporation process

High-quality morphology-tunable CdxZn1-xS nanostructures were synthesized through a one-step thermal evaporation process. They are in the forms of nanoswords, super-long nanowires, cubic nanopillars, heterogeneous nanobelts, branched nanorods, and nanocombs. The morphology and composition of the as-prepared CdxZn1-xS nanomaterials were regulated by controlling (i) distance between source materials, (ii) deposition temperature, and (iii) flow of protecting gas. The hexagonal wurtzite phase of the CdxZn1-xS nanostructures was verified by XRD, and the single crystallinity was confirmed by SAED analysis. In the photoluminescence (PL) study, the emission bands ranged from 448 to 474 nm, which indicates the formation of ZnxCd1-xS nanocrystals rather than CdS, ZnS, or core-shell structured nanocrystals. The result of the cathodoluminescence (CL) investigation reveals that the nanoswords are thick at the middle and thin at the two edges, just as the name "nanoswords" indicates. It is worth pointing out that the low-cost, environment-friendly approach adopted in the present study can be applied to synthesize nanostructures of other compounds such as ternary MgxZn1-xS, CuxCd1-xS and quaternary CuCdMgS semiconductors.