Photocurrent polarization anisotropy of randomly oriented nanowire networks.

While the polarization sensitivity of single or aligned NW ensembles is well-known, this article reports on the existence of residual photocurrent polarization sensitivities in random NW networks. In these studies, CdSe and CdTe NWs were deposited onto glass substrates and contacted with Au electrodes separated by 30-110 microm gaps. SEM and AFM images of resulting devices show isotropically distributed NWs between the electrodes. Complementary high resolution TEM micrographs reveal component NWs to be highly crystalline with diameters between 10 and 20 nm and with lengths ranging from 1 to 10 microm. When illuminated with visible (linearly polarized) light, such random NW networks exhibit significant photocurrent anisotropies rho = 0.25 (sigma = 0.04) [rho = 0.22 (sigma = 0.04)] for CdSe (CdTe) NWs. Corresponding bandwidth measurements yield device polarization sensitivities up to 100 Hz. Additional studies have investigated the effects of varying the electrode potential, gap width, and spatial excitation profile. These experiments suggest electrode orientation as the determining factor behind the polarization sensitivity of NW devices. A simple geometric model has been developed to qualitatively explain the phenomenon. The main conclusion from these studies, however, is that polarization sensitive devices can be made from random NW networks without the need to align component wires.

Microwave-assisted copper-catalyzed preparation of diaryl chalcogenides.

Diaryl chalcogenide synthesis employing diaryl dichalcogenides and aryl halides as starting materials in the presence of excess magnesium and a catalytic amount of CuI/bipyridyl is significantly improved by microwave heating. Reaction times can be reduced from 2 to 3 days to 6-8 h. Both aryl bromides and aryl chlorides can be used as substrates in the substitution reaction. The procedure is useful not only for diaryl sulfide and diaryl selenide synthesis but also for the preparation of unsymmetrical diaryl tellurides. Starting from suitable aryl halides, the novel microwave-assisted procedure was used for the facile preparation of novel chalcogen analogues (PhS-, PhSe-, and PhTe-) of various antioxidants (ethoxyquin and 3-pyridinol). Attempts to use dialkyl dichalcogenides for the coupling of alkylchalcogeno moieties to aryl halides were only successful in the case of long-chain (such as n-octyl) disulfides and diselenides.