Synthesis of Atomically Thin CdTe Nanoplatelets by Using Polytelluride Tellurium Precursors

Abstract

Colloidal two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor nanocrystals are of great importance due to their remarkable optical and electronic properties. Herein, shape-controllable synthesis of 2D wurtzite CdTe nanoplatelets (NPLs) by simply tailoring the reactivity of a tellurium (Te) precursor is reported. Ribbon-, shield-, and bullet-like 2D CdTe NPLs were prepared by a stepwise conversion from CdTe magic-size nanoclusters (MSNCs) by using Te32–, Te22–, and Te2– polytellurides as the tellurium precursor, respectively. This work not only develops a synthetic strategy capable of synthesising wurtzite CdTe nanoplatelets with controlled shapes by tailoring the reactivity of tellurium precursors but also gives insights into the growth mechanisms of colloidal 2D semiconductor nanocrystals.