Heterojunction double dumb-bell Ag<inf>2</inf>Te-Te-Ag<inf>2</inf>Te nanowires

Growth of isolated axial heterojunction nanowires by a solution phase growth process is reported. The dumb-bell shaped nanowires contain two silver telluride sections at the extremes joined by a tellurium section. Reaction of silver nitrate with tellurium NWs in aqueous solution at a molar ratio of 1:1 leads to the formation of amorphous partially silver reacted Te NWs. Low temperature (75°C) solution phase annealing of these silver deficient NWs results in phase segregation producing crystalline Ag2Te and Te phases with clear phase boundaries along the wire axis. Structural characterization of these dumb-bell shaped NWs was performed with different microscopic and spectroscopic tools. Solution phase silver concentration over the course of annealing indicated leaching of silver into the solution during the formation of biphasic NWs. Similar Ag:Te ratios were observed in both partially silver reacted Te NWs and phase segregated Ag2Te-Te-Ag 2Te NWs and this was attributed to redeposition of leached silver on the amorphous NW tips which eventually resulted in complete phase segregation. Successful integration of different chemical components in single NWs is expected to open up new application possibilities as physical and chemical properties of the heterostructure can be exploited. © 2012 The Royal Society of Chemistry.