Growth and luminescence properties of micro- and nanoneedles in sintered CdSe

Abstract

Sintering CdSe powder under argon flow at temperatures in the range 800-900 degreesC produces the formation of needles on the sample surface. Bundles of parallel needles of a diameter of about 50 nm give rise to a domain-like appearance in the sample. In addition, rods and needles with a wide range of dimensions up to several microns appear distributed in the surface. The influence of ball milling of the starting powder on the formation of the needles is investigated. Cathodoluminescence in the scanning electron microscope has been used to characterize the sintered samples.