Influence of high energy (MeV) Au9+ ion irradiation for modification of properties in scaffold-assisted electro synthesized PbSe nanowires

Abstract

Nanowires have attracted widespread attention as a result of breakthrough in nanotechnology due to their new features and potential applications. Lead selenide (PbSe) nanowires have acquired a lot of interest recently because of their exceptional performance and wide range of applications. Electrochemical deposition was used to create arranged PbSe nanowires in polycarbonate templates. Here, the effects of 120 MeV Au9+ swift heavy ion irradiation at fluence ranging from 1 × 109 to 1 × 1012 ions/cm2 on the morphology, crystalline structure, optical and electrical properties were investigated. In the Ion Distribution and Quick Calculation of Damage mode, the TRIM (Transport of Ions in Matter) simulation was employed, and the damage was computed using quick statistical estimates based on the Kinchin-Pease formalism. The primitive and ion irradiated nanowires were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, UV–Visible spectroscopy and Current-Voltage characteristics. The results of Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction imply that irradiated nanowires with minimal strain retain their crystallinity. The irradiation has shown strong impact on the optical constants like optical band gap, refractive index, high frequency and static dielectric constant and electron effective mass with no morphological change. At room temperature, the results of electrical properties studies for both primitive and irradiated nanowires are also provided. Our findings encourage the employment of nanowires in the future for photonic and electronic applications.