Anisotropic Zinc Blende ZnSe Nanostructures: The Interface Chemistry and the Retention of Zinc Blende Phase during Growth

Anisotropic growth in the zinc blende phase of nanomaterials in solution is normally less favorable in comparison to the wurtzite phase. Considering the case of ZnSe and using appropriate surface ligands for selective facet binding, herein we report the anisotropic growth leading to 1D rods, bullet-shaped and finally hemisphere-shaped nanostructures. A detailed study from the nucleation with magic-sized dots to all these structures has been performed, and their formation mechanism has been discussed. Interestingly, while such structures have existed to date mostly in wurtzite-type crystal phase with cell parameters a = b not equal c, here for ZnSe they are formed uniquely in zinc blende phase with a = b = c.