Solution-Liquid-Solid Growth of CuInTe2 and CuInSe xTe2- x Semiconductor Nanowires.

Ternary CuInTe2 and quaternary CuInSe xTe2- x nanowires were successfully synthesized for the first time by a solution-liquid-solid (SLS) mechanism. Crystalline, straight, and nearly stoichiometric CuInTe2 and CuInSe xTe2- x nanowires were readily achieved by using the molecular precursors and in the presence of molten Bi nanoparticles and coordinating capping ligands. The temperature and reactant order-of-addition of this reaction strongly affected the composition of the reaction product and the morphology obtained. These CuInTe2 and CuInSe xTe2- x nanowires are outstanding light absorbers from the near-IR through the visible and ultraviolet spectral regions and, thereby, comprise new soluble and machinable "building blocks" for applications in solar-light utilization.