Controlled transformation of CdTe nanoparticles into nanoribbons via self-assembling process.

CdTe nanorribons were successfully synthesized from individual nanoparticle. Slow oxidation of Te(2-) in CdTe nanoparticles resulted in the assembly of ribbons consisting of several layers of individual nanocrystals. The light-controlled self-assembly of CdTe nanoparticles led to twisted ribbons with variable pitch. Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy were performed to characterize the synthesized nanostructures. The suggested synthetic procedure provides a viable pathway for the fabrication of nanomaterials with helical conformations.