Au-catalyzed and catalyst-free growth of one-dimensional Bi2Se3 nanostructures

Bi₂Se₃ nanoribbons and nanowires were synthesized by Au-catalyzed and catalyst-free chemical vapor deposition methods. The growth of Au-catalyzed Bi₂Se₃ nanoribbons and nanowires is governed by the vapor-solid-solid mechanism, and the nanoribbons grow along <;112̅0> and the nanowires grow along <;0001> directions. Catalyst-free grown Bi₂Se₃ nanoribbons are found to have a growth direction of <;112̅0> and their growth is induced by a Se-catalyzed vapor-liquid-solid mechanism.