Understanding the epitaxial growth of Se_xTe_y@Te core-shell nanorods and the generation of periodic defects

This study demonstrates solution-processed epitaxial growth of Te on Se_xTe_y nanorods and the generation of periodic defects in the core. We investigated Se_xTe_y@Te core-shell nanorods with a diameter of 40-50 nm and a length of 600-700 nm. In spite of a large lattice mismatch between the Se_xTe_y core and the Te shell, the soft character of the core and the shell at a high reaction temperature allowed epitaxial growth of Te on the Se_xTe_y nanorods. During the cooling process to room temperature (below the glass transition temperatures), the lattice mismatch between the core and the shell led to homogeneous stress along the epitaxial interface so that periodic defects were generated in the core.