Structure and luminescence of pyramid-shaped CdSe nanostructures grown by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition

Sharply pointed pyramidal CdSe nanostructures were grown on Si substrates by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition using Au as a catalyst. Scanning electron microscopy analysis confirms their shape; x-ray diffraction, in combination with electron diffraction, reveals that they have the zinc blende structure and are single crystalline. Photoluminescence measurements on individual pyramids at room temperature show an intense near-band edge emission, confirming their good optical quality. Having the same zinc blende structure as ZnSe, these CdSe pyramids are potentially useful for fabricating nanometer-scaled II–VI heterostructures.