We present a highly
chemoselective deposition of precious metals
on semiconductor nanoheterostructures with a strong preference for
cadmium and zinc telluride over the lighter chalcogenides. The selectivity
is explained by p-type surface traps on the tellurides,
compared to n-type defects of the homologous sulfides
and selenides, and can be turned off by passivating the particle surface.
The results give insight into the nature and role of surface defects
for semiconductor nanocrystals. The fast formation of many, small
metal seeds leads to aggregation of the particles into star-shaped
or branched superstructures, leaving the rest of the semiconductor
surface exposed. It provides a preparative route toward complex, yet
well-defined semiconductor-metal hybrid structures with potential
application in photocatalysis.
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