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Synthesis of branched 'nanotrees' by controlled seeding of multiple branching events

Nature Materials volume 3, pages 380–384 (2004)Cite this article

Abstract

The formation of nanostructures with controlled size and morphology has been the focus of intensive research in recent years1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10. Such nanostructures are important in the development of nanoscale devices and in the exploitation of the properties of nanomaterials9. Here we show how tree-like nanostructures ('nanotrees') can be formed in a highly controlled way. The process involves the self-assembled growth of semiconductor nanowires via the vapour–liquid–solid11 growth mode. This bottom-up method uses initial seeding by catalytic nanoparticles12 to form the trunk, followed by the sequential seeding of branching structures. Each level of branching is controlled in terms of branch length, diameter and number, as well as chemical composition. We show, by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, that the branching mechanism gives continuous crystalline (monolithic) structures throughout the extended and complex tree-like structures. The controlled seeding method that we report here has potential as a generic means of forming complex branching structures, and may also offer opportunities for applications, such as the mimicking of photosynthesis in nanotrees.

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Figure 1: SEM images of GaP nanotrees.
Figure 2: TEM images of GaP nanotrees.
Figure 3: Control of morphology of tree structures by deposition of seed particles.
Figure 4: Nanotrees containing a GaP-GaAsP double heterostructure in the branches.

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Acknowledgements

We thank B. Wacaser and M. Karlsson for assistance in producing the aerosols, M. Borgström for assistance in growing the nanowires, P. Svensson for assistance in growing heterostructures, T. Krinke for computer simulations of aerosol particle deposition, N. Panev for photoluminescence analysis, U. Krishnamachari for growth of [001] trunks, and L. Karlsson and J.-O. Malm for assistance with TEM imaging. This work was performed within the Nanometer Structure Consortium at Lund University, and supported by the Swedish Research Council (VR), the Swedish Foundation for Strategic Research (SSF), and the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Solid State Physics, Lund University, Box 118, Lund, S-221 00, Sweden

    Kimberly A. Dick, Knut Deppert, Thomas Mårtensson, Werner Seifert & Lars Samuelson

  2. Materials Chemistry/nCHREM, Lund University, Box 124, Lund, S-221 00, Sweden

    Magnus W. Larsson & L. Reine Wallenberg

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  1. Kimberly A. Dick
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Correspondence to Lars Samuelson.

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Dick, K., Deppert, K., Larsson, M. et al. Synthesis of branched 'nanotrees' by controlled seeding of multiple branching events. Nature Mater 3, 380–384 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/nmat1133

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