Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Nanowire and Other Nanostructures of PdSe2

Materials with reduced dimensions, such as 2D materials, 1D nanowires, and 0D quantum dots, have been extensively studied for their rich structural varieties and electronic properties that are appealing for optoelectronic applications. PdSe₂ is a van der Waals layered material that has attracted recent interest due to its unique 2D puckered pentagonal structure, which leads to exotic properties and quantum effects. Here, we report chemical vapor deposition synthesis for a library of nanostructure morphologies of PdSe₂, including previously unreported striated nanowire structures. We used electron microscopy techniques like 4D-STEM and displaced-aperture dark-field TEM to characterize the atomic structure of these different nanostructures, and provided insight into their nucleation, growth, and formation in different synthesis conditions. We have examined the defects that are associated with the production and stabilization of 1D nanowires of 2D layered materials, a topic that remains under-explored in the literature. We will also report preliminary property studies of the various nanostructures of PdSe₂. Exploring growth conditions, structural outcomes, and the connection between the two, serves as important progress toward the goal of harnessing the unique electronic and structural properties of these 2D materials.