In-situ phosphrous doping in ZnTe nanowires with enhanced p-type conductivity

Single-crystalline undoped and phosphrous-doped (P-doped) p-type ZnTe nanowires (NWs) were synthesized via a simple vapor transport and deposition method. Both undoped and P-doped ZnTe nanowires have zinc blende structure and uniform geometry. X-ray diffraction peaks of the P-doped ZnTe nanowires show an obvious shift toward higher diffraction angle as compared with the undoped ZnTe nanowires. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirms the existence of P-dopant in the ZnTe nanowires. Field-effect transistors based on both undoped and P-doped ZnTe nanowires were fabricated and characterized. Electrical measurements demonstrated that P-doping led to an enhancement in p-type conductivity of ZnTe nanowires. A defect reaction mechanism was proposed to explain the p-type behaviors of both undoped and P-doped ZnTe nanowires. Copyright © 2012 American Scientific Publishers.