Solid Solution, Phase Separation, and Cathodoluminescence of GaP–ZnS Nanostructures

Abstract

Quaternary solid-solution nanowires made of GaP and ZnS have been synthesized through well-designed synthetic routines. The as-synthesized GaP-ZnS solid-solution nanowires exhibit decent crystallinity with the GaP phase as the host, while a large amount of twin structural defects are observed in ZnS-rich nanowires. Cathodoluminescence studies showed that GaP-rich solid-solution nanowires have a strong visible emission centered at 600 nm and the ZnS-rich solid-solution nanowires exhibited a weak emission peak in the UV range and a broad band in the range 400-600 nm. The formation mechanism, processes, and optical emissions of GaP-ZnS solid-solution nanowires were discussed in detail.