Tin Domain Growth on Quasi-Two-Dimensional CdTe and CdSe Nanoparticles

Tin domain growth on quasi-two-dimensional colloidal CdSe and CdTe nanoparticles having the zinc blende structure has been studied. The initial quasi-two-dimensional CdSe and CdTe nanoparticles having lateral sizes of 100–200 nm were prepared by a colloidal method. Tin domain growth was accomplished in tetrahydrofuran via the reduction of a tin(II) salt by tetrabutylammonium borohydride. The tin domains had sizes of 10–20 nm as probed by TEM. In case of CdSe nanoparticles, tin domains were grown inside the inner cavities of initially rolled nanoparticles. A β-tin phase was identified by X-ray diffraction. The absorption spectra featured the broadening of exciton bands corresponding to quasi-two-dimensional nanoparticles, the spectral positions of absorption peaks remaining almost unchanged.