Solution–Liquid–Solid Growth of CuInTe2 and CuInSexTe2–x Semiconductor Nanowires

Ternary CuInTe 2 and quaternary CuInSe x Te 2– x nanowires were successfully synthesized for the first time by a solution–liquid–solid (SLS) mechanism. Crystalline, straight, and nearly stoichiometric CuInTe 2 and CuInSe x Te 2– x nanowires were readily achieved by using the molecular precursors and in the presence of molten Bi nanoparticles and coordinating capping ligands. The temperature and reactant order-of-addition of this reaction strongly affected the composition of the reaction product and the morphology obtained. These CuInTe 2 and CuInSe x Te 2– x nanowires are outstanding light absorbers from the near-IR through the visible and ultraviolet spectral regions and, thereby, comprise new soluble and machinable “building blocks” for applications in solar-light utilization.