Etching under continuous illumination is the main pathway responsible for deactivation of semiconductor photocatalysts. Common photocatalytic materials degrade by leaching/photoetching and mechanical/thermal degradation. Little is known on the reactivity and stability of II-VI semiconductor materials. Thus, we investigated the chemical reactivity (acids/bases and oxidants/reductants) and thermal stability of II-VI semiconductor (SC) nanorods (NRs) in different environments. In acidic media, cadmium selenide (CdSe) NRs are etched and selenium (Se) nanorods form. In basic media, CdSe NRs retain their morphology and only slightly decrease in length; the width (confined dimension) does not change. Trying to reduce CdSe with H2 gas only affects the morphology of the NRs, but treatment with n-butyllithium forms Cd metal. Treatment with O2 produces CdO; however, KMnO4 and H2O2 do not have any effect on CdSe NRs. The thermal stability of CdSe and CdS NRs was probed by DTA, TGA, and VT-XRD.

How robust are semiconductor nanorods? Investigating the chemical stability and decomposition pathways in photoactive nanocrystals

247th National Meeting (2014)

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