Template based Synthesis of Compound Semiconductor Nanostructures and their Characterization

Abstract

In the modern era, the fast technological developments have led to the progressive miniaturization of electronic devices. The semiconductor nanowires exhibit device functionalities such as p-n junction diodes, field effect transistors, logic gates, sensors, electron field emitters and light emitting diodes and hence have proven to be the promising building blocks in the construction of integrated circuits. Nanowires represent the smallest dimensional structures for efficient transport of charge carriers and have incredible significance in the realization of future integrated circuits based on interconnects. Nanostructures of different materials are easily and conveniently generated through the template synthesis technique. The main features of a template is its central structure which forms a network in such a way that removal of template creates filled cavities with morphological characteristics related to those of template. Most commonly used templates are Anodic Alumina Membranes (AAMs),Track Etch membranes(TEMs) of polymers, mica, glass etc. Material most commonly and generally used as TEM is polycarbonate (PC). Nanostructures are produced via template synthesis through two methods (i) Galvanic replication or electro deposition method (ii) Non galvanic or electro less deposition technique. newlineTEMs, also popularly known as Nuclear Track Filters (NTFs) when used as templates in synthesis of nano/micro structures, involve basically a two-step technique in production of membranes: the formation of latent tracks by heavy ion newlineirradiation followed subsequently by enlargement of the tracks to pores through chemical etching. Controlled manipulation of the irradiation and etching conditions enable the production of suitable membranes with pores of different geometries, sizes and aspect ratios. newlineThis technique of template synthesis of metal nano/micro structures via electrodeposition and electroless deposition processes has been discussed in details by many workers. In electrodeposition, the synthesis process is ...