Solvothermal Synthesis of High-Aspect Ratio Alloy Semiconductor Nanowires: Cd1−xZnxS, a Case Study

High-aspect ratio Cd 1− x Zn x S ( x = 0−1) alloy semiconductor nanowires are reported here for the first time using an ethylenediamine ( en )-assisted solvothermal approach. The composition of the en −water ( en -w) mixed solvent plays a crucial role in determining the morphology and crystalline phase of the alloy nanowires in the middle range of x (i.e., when x approaches 0.5). A phase transformation from hexagonal to cubic was observed for the middle range of x in an en -dominated solvent ( en /w, 5:1). Nanowires with hexagonal phases were formed for the entire range of x with increasing water content of the solvent system ( en /w, 2:1). The aspect ratio of the nanowires was found to be dependent on the x value as well as solvent composition. Alloy nanowires exhibit photoresponse properties when illuminated under white light. The synthesis technique is modified to synthesize core−shell Cd 1− x Zn x S/ZnS nanowires. Enhancement in photoluminescence efficiency is observed with a ZnS shell over the alloy nanowires.