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Iowa State University and Ames Laboratory researchers have developed a reliable method for synthesis of semiconductor-metal heterostructures to enable application of materials in catalytic, magnetic, and opto-electronic devices.

Synthesis of the semi-conductor-metal heterostructures has been accomplished on a laboratory scale, samples are available for testing, and ISU is seeking commercialization partners for this technology.

Interest in the synthesis of colloidal semiconductor-metal hybrid nanostructures has grown exponentially in recent years. Laser spot irradiation has been reported to have some control over metal deposition; however, this process has low yields and requires expensive equipment.  It also has the potential to change the structure of the metal deposit as a result of the high energy intensity of the laser. Iowa State University and Ames Laboratory researchers have discovered a method that enables illumination of much larger areas at a time and that provides unprecedented control over deposition locale. This could lead to a larger synthetic throughput and wider general availability of finely-structured semiconductor-metal hybrid heterostructures. Initial studies of the process to obtain II.VI semiconductor (cadmium selenium/sulfide) nanorods with active metal (either platinum or palladium) nanoparticles have shown that the heterostructrues become redox-active upon illumination and are capable of mediating photo-induced chemical transformations. The technology results in better, cheaper and more widely available photocatalytic materials for renewable energy and environmental remediation applications.

• Controlled fabrication of colloidal semiconductor-metal hybrid heterostructures

• High yields of site-selective nanoparticles

• Simple, scalable method for metal photodeposition

Metal photodeposition for catalytic and magnetic materials, as well as opto-electronic devices.

1. "Expanding the One-Dimensional CdS-CdSe Composition Landscape: Acially Anisotropic CdS1-xSexNanorods," T. Purnima, A. Ruberu, and J. Vela, 2011, ACS Nano 5(7): 5775 - 5784